Engineered phenylalanine ammonia lyase polypeptides

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides and compositions thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding the engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/720,060, filed Sep. 29, 2017, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/431,491, filed Feb. 13, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,160,963, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/255,539, filed Apr. 17, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,611,468, which claims priority to U.S. Prov. Pat. Appln. Ser. No. 61/813,586 filed Apr. 18, 2013, and U.S. Prov. Pat. Appln. Ser. No. 61/897,932, filed Oct. 31, 2013, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED AS AN ASCII TEXT FILE

The Sequence Listing written in file CX7-131US2_ST25.TXT, created on Apr. 15, 2014, 127,412 bytes, machine format IBM-PC, MS-Windows operating system, is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides and compositions thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding the engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are optimized to provide enhanced catalytic activity, as well as reduced sensitivity to proteolysis and increased tolerance to acidic pH levels. In some embodiments the engineered PAL polypeptides are deimmunized. The invention also relates to the use of the compositions comprising the engineered PAL polypeptides for therapeutic and industrial purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) along with histidine ammonia-lyase (HAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) are members of the aromatic amino acid lyase family (EC 4.3.1.23-1.25 and 4.3.1.3). More specifically the enzymes having PAL activity (EC 4.3.1.23-1.25 and previously classified as EC4.3.1.5) catalyze the nonoxidative deamination of L-phenylalanine into (E)-cinnamic acid. PAL is a non-mammalian enzyme that is widely distributed in plants and has also been identified in fungi and a limited number of bacteria. PAL enzymes may be used as a therapeutic protein for the treatment of the metabolic disorder, phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is an autosomal metabolic genetic disorder in which the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) or one or more of the enzymes involved in the synthesis or recycling of the co-factor tetrahydrobiopterin, is nonfunctional due to a mutation in one of the corresponding genes. This lack of functionality results in high levels of phenylalanine in the bloodstream. The phenylalanine is converted into phenylpyruvate (phenylketone) and other derivatives. In humans, if PKU is not treated early, high levels of phenylalanine and some of its breakdown products can cause significant medical problems including intellectual disability, microcephaly and seizures. Numerous studies have focused on the use of PAL in the treatment of PKU by enzyme substitution (Ambrus et al., Science 201:837-839 [1978]; Bourget et al., Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 10:57-59 [1984]; and Sarkissian et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:2339-2344 [1999]).

One method of detoxifying phenylalanine in the blood stream is the use of injectable recombinant PAL and PAL variants modified by pegylation (PEG-PAL). Pegylation has been shown to improve enzyme half-life and reduce subject antigenic response (See e.g., WO 2008/153776, WO 2011/097335, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,531,341). PAL variants useful in PEG-PAL compositions have been described as variants of wild-type Nostoc punctiforme (NpPAL); Anabaena variabilis (AvPAL) and Rhodosporidium toruloides (RtPAL). In particular, variants of wild-type AvPAL have been described wherein the cysteine residues at positions 64, 318, 503 and 565 have been substituted with serine (See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,790,433; 7,560,263; and 7,537,923).

An alternative route of PAL administration as a means of reducing plasma concentration of L-phenylalanine in PKU subjects is a non-invasive formulation such as an oral formulation (Sarkissian et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96:2339-2344 [1999]). A key advantage of oral delivery of PAL is the reduced exposure of the enzyme to the immune system thereby minimizing the immune response which is observed with injectable PEG-PAL. However, a major limitation for the oral formulation of PAL is loss of enzyme activity in the stomach and intestinal lumen. In order to be effective and functional PAL must resist degradation by acidic pHs and proteases such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidases and pepsin that normally degrade proteinaceous foods to oligopeptides and amino acids. In some previous studies (Sarkissian, supra) in order to achieve a significant effect for the oral administration of PAL, a large amount of the enzyme was required partly due to enzymatic degradation by proteases and partly due to relatively low specific activity at pH 7.0. Various means have been explored to suppress PAL degradation upon digestion (Kim et al., Molec. Therap., 10:220-224 [2004]; and Shah et al., Int. J. Pharmaceut., 356:61-68 [2008]).

One approach to increase the effectiveness of PAL under the harsh conditions of the digestive tract is to provide engineered PAL polypeptides that are tolerant to the inherent harsh conditions. Kang et al. used site directed mutagenesis of a chymotrypsin cleavage site and pegylation of surface lysines of an AvPAL to reduce proteolytic inactivation (See, Kang et al., Mol. Gen. Metabol., 99:4-9 [2010]). In these studies ten cleavage sites were specifically mutated and all but two of these resulting mutants (F18A and R94G) lost more than 50% of the original enzyme activity. None of the mutants showed increased activity and the F18A mutant showed a slight increase in trypsin resistance (Kang et al., supra). Further studies with PAL, while effective, generally have not resulted in a longer lived enzyme. Therefore, oral administration of previously described PAL mutants and derivatives thereof does not result in effective treatment of PKU.

Despite the progress made with various formulations of PAL there remains a need for PAL polypeptides having improved properties for oral administration. These improved properties include without limitation a greater half-life, increased catalytic activity, improved stability to the conditions in the digestive track and reduced aggregation.

In addition to therapeutic applications PAL enzymes may also be used in the industrial synthesis of L-phenylalanine and other substituted L-phenylalanine derivatives. These derivatives may then be used as pharmaceutical precursors (Gloge et al., Chem., 6: 3386-3390 [2000]; Bartsch et al., Prot. Eng. Des. Sel., 23:929-933 [2010]; and Turner, Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol., 234-240 [2011]).

PAL enzymes may also be used in agricultural applications. PAL plays a significant role in biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids (such as flavonoids and lignin) in plants, fungi and bacteria and can act as a defense related enzyme (Bate et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:7608-7612 [1994]). Modulation of PAL activity by using recombinant polypeptides having PAL activity could potentially lead to effective herbicides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides and compositions thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding the engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are optimized to provide enhanced catalytic activity, as well as reduced sensitivity to proteolysis and increased tolerance to acidic pH levels. In some embodiments the engineered PAL polypeptides are deimmunized. The invention also relates to the use of the compositions comprising the engineered PAL polypeptides for therapeutic and industrial purposes. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides and biologically active fragments and analogs thereof having improved properties such an increased tolerance to acidic pH and/or reduced sensitivity to proteolysis.

The present invention is directed to engineered PAL polypeptides and biologically active fragments and analogs thereof having improved properties when compared to a wild-type PAL enzyme or a reference PAL polypeptide under essentially the same conditions. The invention is further directed to methods of using the engineered PAL polypeptides and biologically active fragments and analogs thereof in therapeutic and/or industrial compositions and methods of using such compositions for therapeutic and/or industrial purposes.

In a first aspect, the invention provides engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides wherein the engineered PAL polypeptide has an improved property selected from the group of i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii) or iv) as compared to the reference sequence when measured under essentially the same conditions. In some specific embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides have two improved properties. In other specific embodiments, the improved property is reduced sensitivity to proteolysis and in yet in other specific embodiments, the improved property is increased tolerance to acidic pH.

In a second aspect, the engineered PAL polypeptides include proteins comprising at least 85% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference at a position corresponding to positions X39; X91; X158; X180; X195; X243; X245; X256; X257; X270; X290; X307; X308; X326; X349; X364; X394; X399; X400; X404; X407; X443; X453; X459; X460; X463; X474; X522; X524; and X528, when optimally aligned with the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4.

In some specific embodiments of the first and second aspects, the engineered PAL polypeptides comprise at least an amino acid residue difference of one or more amino acid residue positions corresponding to A39; A91; Y158; S180; K195; T243; I245; A256; L257; N270; N290; H307; E308; 1326; L349; L364; A394; 5399; N400; P404; L407; F443; N453; Y459; T460; T463; N474; K522; T524; and P528, when optimally aligned with the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4. In some specific embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides comprise at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 15, and at least 20 amino acid residue differences from the reference polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.

In other specific embodiments of the first and second aspects, the engineered PAL polypeptides comprise at least 90%, (at least 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% and 99%) amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4. In yet further specific embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides comprise at least 90%, (at least 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% and 99%) amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, and comprise one or more of the following substitutions A39V; A91V; Y158H; S180A; K195E; T243I/L; I245L; A256G; L257W/A; N270K; N290G; H307G/Q/M; E308Q; I326F; L349M; L364Q; A394V; S399N; N400K; P404A; L407V; F443H; N453G; Y459F; T460G; T463N; N474Q; K522Y/F/N; T524S; and P528L.

In other specific embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are derived from a wild-type Anabaena variabilis PAL (such as ATCC29413; NCBI protein reference sequence YP_324488.1; SEQ ID NO:4).

In a third aspect, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity encompassed by the invention comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:10, or a functional fragment thereof.

In a fourth aspect, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity encompassed by the invention comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:10, or a functional fragment thereof and further comprising an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, at one, two, three, four, five, or six more amino acid positions.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a polynucleotide sequence encoding any one of the engineered PAL polypeptides as described herein.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition or an industrial composition comprising any one of the engineered PAL polypeptides as described herein.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising a) an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4 or a functional fragment thereof; b) an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation or a combination of any of i), ii), iii) or iv) as compared to the reference sequence. In some embodiments, one or more amino acid positions are selected from X39; X54; X59; X73; X91; X158; X112, X134, X180; X195; X240; X243; X245; X256; X257; X270; X290; X304, X305; X307; X308; X326; X349; X353; X364; X394; X399; X400; X404; X407; X443; X453; X459; X460; X463; X474; X509; X521; X522; X524; X528; X546; X564; and/or combinations thereof when optimally aligned with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. In some additional embodiments, the improved property is selected from reduced sensitivity to proteolysis and/or increased tolerance to acidic pH. In yet additional embodiments, the reference sequence is a wild-type PAL derived from Anabaena variabilis. In some further embodiments, the amino acid residue of the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 corresponds to A39; T54; G59, S73; A91; Y158; S180; K195; A112; R134; Q240; T243; I245; A256; L257; N270; N290; Y304; R305; H307; E308; 1326; L349; D353; L364; A394; 5399; N400; P404; L407; F443; N453; Y459; T460; T463; N474; E509; Q521; K522; T524; P528; 5546; and/or P564. In some embodiments, the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 is selected from one or more of the following substitutions A39V; T54K; G59R; S73K; A112C; R134Q; A91V; Y158H; S180A; K195E; Q240R/W; T243I/L; I245L; A256G; L257W/A; N270K; N290G; Y304H; R305M; H307G/Q/M; E308Q; I326F; L349M; D353A/N; L364Q; A394V; S399N; N400K; P404A; L407V; F443H; N453G; Y459F; T460G; T463N; N474Q; E509L; Q521K/S; K522Y/F/N; T524S; P528L; S546R; and P564 G/L/M; when optimally aligned with the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some additional embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least about 90% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some additional embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least about 95% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least about 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4; and an amino acid residue difference at position H307. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least 90% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some additional embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least 95% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4; and an amino acid residue difference at position H307. In some additional embodiments, the amino acid residue difference is H307G/Q/M. In some further embodiments, the amino acid residue difference is selected from a combination of one or more of A39; A91; Q240; A256; N290; Y304; R305; H307; D353 A394; 5399; P404; L407; Q521; K522; and T524.

The present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or at least about 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, and/or 14, or a functional fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, and/or 14, or a functional fragment thereof.

In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, and/or 14, or a functional fragment thereof.

The present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, and/or 14, or a functional fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, and/or 14, or a functional fragment thereof. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, and/or 14, or a functional fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, and/or 14, or a functional fragment thereof. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, and/or 14, or a functional fragment thereof.

The present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or at least about 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, or a functional fragment thereof, wherein the engineered polypeptide is deimmunized. The present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, or a functional fragment thereof, wherein the engineered polypeptide is deimmunized. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, or a functional fragment thereof, wherein the engineered polypeptide is deimmunized. In some additional embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity is a variant PAL provided in any of Tables 9-1 through 9-7. In some embodiments, the deimmunized engineered having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, and/or 14.

The present invention also provides polynucleotide sequences encoding the engineered polypeptides having PAL activity provided herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence is operably linked to a control sequence. The present invention further provides vectors comprising at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding at least on engineered polypeptide having PAL activity. The present invention also provides host cells transformed with at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding an engineered polypeptide having PAL activity, as provided herein.

The present invention further provides methods of producing an engineered PAL polypeptide in a host cell, comprising culturing a host cell comprising at least one polynucleotide encoding at least one engineered PAL polypeptide under suitable culture conditions. The present invention further provides methods of producing an engineered PAL polypeptide in a host cell, comprising culturing a host cell comprising a polynucleotide encoding the engineered PAL polypeptide under suitable culture conditions. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise recovering the engineered PAL polypeptide from the culture and/or host cells.

The present invention also provides compositions comprising at least one engineered polypeptide having PAL activity, as provided herein. In some embodiments, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention further provides uses of these compositions.

The present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising: a) an amino acid sequence having at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or greater sequence identity to a reference sequence having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, or a functional fragment thereof; b) a polypeptide sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to a reference sequence having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, v) reduced immunogenicity, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii), iv), or v), as compared to the reference sequence having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. In some embodiments, the reference sequence is a prokaryotic PAL, while in some other embodiments, the reference sequence is a eukaryotic PAL. In some embodiments, the reference sequence is a bacterial PAL (e.g., Anabaena variabilis PAL), while in some other embodiments it is a human or other PAL. In some further embodiments, the reference sequence is a wild-type sequence (e.g., wild-type A. variabilis PAL), while in some alternative embodiments, the reference sequence is a variant enzyme (e.g., an engineered polypeptide having PAL activity).

In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention comprise: a) an amino acid sequence having at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or greater sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4 or a functional fragment thereof; b) a polypeptide sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4, or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, v) reduced immunogenicity, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii), iv), or v), as compared to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4.

In some additional embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprise: a) an amino acid sequence having at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4 or a functional fragment thereof; b) a polypeptide sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, v) reduced immunogenicity, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii), iv), or v), as compared to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4.

In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity (PAL) comprise at least one substitution(s) at one or more of the following amino acid positions: 20, 24, 27, 39, 43, 45, 47, 54, 58, 59, 62, 70, 73, 80, 82, 91, 94, 98, 104, 105, 110, 112, 115, 117, 118, 119, 121, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 133, 134, 135, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 149, 150, 151, 153, 154, 156, 157, 158, 159, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 180, 187, 191, 195, 199, 205, 206, 210, 212, 213, 214, 232, 240, 243, 245, 247, 248, 250, 256, 257, 266, 270, 275, 278, 279, 285, 286, 289, 290, 292, 304, 305, 307, 308, 309, 319, 321, 326, 331, 332, 334, 349, 353, 355, 364, 365, 369, 370, 371, 372, 374, 375, 377, 378, 379, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 387, 389, 394, 396, 399, 400, 403, 404, 407, 417, 418, 425, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 443, 446, 447, 453, 456, 459, 460, 461, 463, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 482, 483, 503, 507, 509, 521, 522, 524, 525, 528, 538, 546, 547, 551, 558, 560, 564, 565, and/or any combinations thereof, wherein the amino acid positions are numbered with reference to SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the amino acid residue of the reference sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 corresponds to A39, T54, G59, S73, A91, Y158, S180, K195, A112, R134, Q240, T243, I245, A256, L257, N270, N290, Y304, R305, H307, E308, 1326, L349, D353, L364, A394, 5399, N400, P404, L407, F443, N453, Y459, T460, T463, N474, E509, Q521, K522, T524, P528, 5546, and/or P564. In some additional embodiments, the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 is selected from one or more of the following substitutions A39V, T54K, G59R, S73K, A112C, R134Q, A91V, Y158H, S180A, K195E, Q240R/W, T243I/L, I245L, A256G, L257W/A, N270K, N290G, Y304H, R305M, H307G/Q/M, E308Q, I326F, L349M, D353A/N, L364Q, A394V, S399N, N400K, P404A, L407V, F443H, N453G, Y459F, T460G, T463N, N474Q, E509L, Q521K/S, K522Y/F/N, T524S, P528L, S546R, and P564 G/L/M, when optimally aligned with the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least about 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4; and an amino acid residue difference at position H307. In some embodiments, the amino acid residue difference is H307G/Q/M. In some still further embodiments, the amino acid residue difference is selected from a combination of one or more of A39, A91, Q240, A256, N290, Y304, R305, H307, D353, A394, 5399, P404, L407, Q521, K522, and T524. In some additional embodiments, the improved property of the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity (PAL) is selected from reduced sensitivity to proteolysis and/or increased tolerance to acidic pH.

The present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising: a) an amino acid sequence having at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or greater sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:10 or a functional fragment thereof; b) a polypeptide sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10 or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, v) reduced immunogenicity, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii), iv), or v), as compared to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO:10.

In some embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising: a) an amino acid sequence having at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:10 or a functional fragment thereof; b) a polypeptide sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10 or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, v) reduced immunogenicity, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii), iv), or v), as compared to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO:10.

In some embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising: a) an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:10 or a functional fragment thereof; b) a polypeptide sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10 or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, v) reduced immunogenicity, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii), iv), or v), as compared to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO:10.

In some embodiments, the present invention also provide engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:10 and at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10 and that exhibits at least one improved property selected from enhanced catalytic activity, reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, increased tolerance to acidic pH, reduced aggregation, and/or reduced immunogenicity, as compared to the SEQ ID NO:10.

In some embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets: I27E/V39A; I27E/V39A/R43L/V105C/A153R/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q; I27E/V39A/R43L/L214E/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/Q205T/P210C/P266H/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/Q205T/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/S131N/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/A153R/P210C/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/P210C/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/I285E/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P266H/C503Q; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P266H/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L278D/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L278D/I285E/C503Q; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L278D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/I285E/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/L214E; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/I285E; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/P210C/L214E/L278D/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/P210C/L278D/C503Q; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/P210C/L278D/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/P210C/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/P210C/L214E/P266H/L278D; I27E/V39A/V105C/L214E/P266H/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/L214E/L278D/L309P/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/I285E/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/P210C/L214E/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/L214E/P266H/A551D; I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/P266H/I285E; I27E/V39A/A112C/Q205T/L214E/P266H/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/A112C/Q205T/L278D/I285E; I27E/V39A/A112C/L214E; I27E/V39A/A112C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/A112C/I285E; I27E/V39A/A112C/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/L214E/P266H/C503Q; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/P210C/L214E/L278D/I285E/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153G/L214E/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L278D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L278D/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/Q205T/P266H/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q; I27E/V39A/R134Q/P210C/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/L214E/P266H/A551D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/P266H/I285E/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/P266H/A551D; I27E/V39A/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/P210C/T212S; I27E/V39A/P210C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/P210C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/P210C/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/P210C/P266H/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/L214E; I27E/V39A/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/L214E/L278D/C503Q; I27E/V39A/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/L214E/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/P266H; I27E/V39A/P266H/L278D; I27E/V39A/L278D; I27E/V39A/L278D/A547D; I27E/V39A/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/L278D/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V39A/C503Q; I27E/G45D/Q205T/P266H/C565N; I27E/V105C; I27E/V105C/R134Q/A153R/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V105C/R134Q/A153R/I285E/A547D; I27E/V105C/R134Q/A153R/C503Q; I27E/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/P210C/C503Q; I27E/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V105C/Q205T/P266H/C503Q; I27E/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/P266H/L278D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/R134Q/P210C/P266H/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/Q205T; I27E/V105C/Q205T/L214E/P266H; I27E/V105C/Q205T/L214E/P266H/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/Q205T/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/Q205T/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/L214E; I27E/V105C/L214E/P266H/C503Q; I27E/V105C/L214E/I285E/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/L214E/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/L214E/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/P266H; I27E/V105C/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V105C/L278D/A547D; I27E/V105C/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V105C/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/A112C/R134Q/A153R/L214E/P266H/C503Q; I27E/A112C/R134Q/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/L278D/C503Q; I27E/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/I285E/C503Q; I27E/A112C/Q205T/P266H/L278D/I285E/C503Q; I27E/A112C/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/R134Q; I27E/R134Q/A153R/I285E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/R134Q/Q205T/I285E/C503Q/A551D; I27E/R134Q/Q205T/P266H/L278D/A547D; I27E/R134Q/P210C; I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q; I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/C565N; I27E/R134Q/L278D/I285E/A551D/C565N; I27E/R134Q/I285E/C503Q; I27E/A153R/L214E/L278D/I285E/A551D/C565N; I27E/A153R/L214E/L278D/A551D; I27E/Q205T; I27E/Q205T/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/C565N; I27E/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/Q205T/P266H/L278D/I285E/A551D/C565N; I27E/Q205T/L278D/A551D; I27E/P210C; I27E/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/P210C/L278D/C503Q; I27E/P210C/C503Q; I27E/P210C/C503Q/C565N; I27E/P210C/A551D; I27E/L214E; I27E/L214E/P266H/L278D/I285E/A551D; I27E/L214E/L278D; I27E/L214E/L278D/C503Q; I27E/L214E/C503Q; I27E/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/L214E/A551D; I27E/P266H/L278D/C503Q; I27E/P266H/A547D/A551D; I27E/L278D/C503Q/A551D; I27E/L278D/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/A547D/C565N; V39A/G45S/L278D/C503Q/A551D; V39A/V105C/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/A551D; V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/A551D; V39A/V105C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; V39A/V105C/A153R/P266H/A547D/A551D; V39A/V105C/Q205T/C503Q; V39A/V105C/Q205T/A551D; V39A/V105C/P210C/A547D; V39A/V105C/L214E/P266H/A547D/C565N; V39A/V105C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; V39A/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/L278D; V39A/A112C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; V39A/A112C/A153R/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A547D; V39A/R134Q; V39A/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/C565N; V39A/R134Q/P210C/L214E/A547D/C565N; V39A/A153R/C503Q/A547D; V39A/Q205T/L278D/A547D/A551D; V39A/P210C/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A551D; V39A/P266H; V39A/P275R/L278D/C503Q/A551D; V39A/C503Q; V39A/C503Q/A551D/C565N; V105C; V105C/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/Y492H/C503Q/A547D; V105C/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/L214E/C503Q; V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/A547D; V105C/R134Q/Q205T/P266H/L278D; V105C/R134Q/L214E/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C565N; V105C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D; V105C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; V105C/R134Q/C503Q; V105C/R134Q/C503Q/A547D; V105C/R134Q/C503Q/A547D/C565N; V105C/A153R/Q205T/L214E/P266H/C503Q/A547D; V105C/A153R/Q205T/P266H/I285E/A547D/C565N; V105C/Q205T/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D; V105C/Q205T/L214E/L278D; V105C/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; V105C/Q205T/C503Q/A551D; V105C/L214E/P266H/L278D/A547D; V105C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D; V105C/L214E/I285E; V105C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; V105C/L214E/I285E/A547D/C565N; V105C/L278D/C503Q/A551D; V105C/I285E; V105C/I285E/A547D; V105C/C503Q; V105C/A547D/A551D; A112C/R134Q/A153R/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; A112C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; A112C/L214E/L278D; A112C/L278D/C503Q/A547D; R134Q/Q205T/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; R134Q/Q205T/C503Q; R134Q/P210C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; R134Q/L214E; R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q; R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A551D; R134Q/L214E/I285E/C503Q; R134Q/C503Q; R134Q/C503Q/A547D/A551D; A153R; Q205T/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D; Q205T/L214E/I285E/C503Q/C565N; Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; Q205T/L278D/I285E/A547D/A551D; P210C/L214E; P210C/L214E/P266H; L214E/P266H; L214E/P266H/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; L214E/C503Q/A547D; L214E/A547D; P266H/L278D/C503Q; P266H/C565N; L278D/A547D; C503Q; C503Q/A547D; C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; C503Q/A547D/C565N; C503Q/A551D; C503Q/A551D/C565N; A547D; and/or C565N.

In some additional embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets: V80I/R134C/P564Q; V121C; A123G; A124G; M125L; L1261/T; L126M/R134L; L127A; A129G/L; N130Q; N130C/M370I R134W; M133R; R134I; R134N/G307C; G135C/S; and/or G135A/A394E.

In some additional embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets: G20S/I144L; R43S; L47M/I144L; L47M/R146E; L47M/M147G/A383E; L47M/P157C; Q58H/L143V; Q58K/P157D/G369C; A62S/M147V; S82I/G135C/P157F/W279L; R94C/I149E; T110I/I139R; L118M/L141H; A119E/T156H/A289D; I139M/V; R140D/G/M; R140N/A199E; R140E/A334S/A551D; L141K/Q/P/T; E142H/P/V; E142D/G371D; L143F/M; I144L/N/V; K145N/Q/R; K145G/P157T; R146H/L; R146W/D191Y; M147A; I149L/R; F150K/L/M; L151M; A153C/G; A153S/H250N; G154R; G154Y/L174M/Q321K/S456I/G483C; T156K/G483C; P157D/F/H/Y; Y158E; V159C/H/L/M; M247I; L319M; and/or Q389K.

In still some additional embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets: P117T/Y176Q; V172I/C/L; L174M; S175G; Y176E/I/M/R/V; I177M/V; T178L/A477S; and/or S180C/T.

In some additional embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets: R43S/H374K; R43S/H374R; A112S/M370A/A507E; M147I/H374S; S187R/L381V; D191Y/H385N; A232S; Q240K/H374R; A256S/L381N; P275Q/M370S; P275T/H374R; Q332K/Y377M; A334S/H374V; L349M; Q355K/H374S; M370G/I/S; G371H/N/Q/S; M372A/V; H374A/D/G/L/N/R/S/T; H374Q/P396Q; H374R/G417C; L375I; L375M; Y377C/I/N; Y378C/D/E/I/L/N/S; Y378F/P404Q; I379C/H/L/M/N; L381G/V; L381M/Q560K; L382C/H/I/M/S; A383S/V; K384R; H385C/G/N; H385M/P403H; H385S/P403H; D387S; L418M; G425V; A447S; S461G; and/or S525L.

In some additional embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets: A24S/F434M; A62S/T433N; S98I; L213M/S438L; Q240K/T433Y; S286R/Y435T; A289S/L431E; S331I; L431C/E/G/P/S/V; L432C/V; T433A/I/L/N/P/Q/R/S/V/W; F434C; Y435L; Y435Q/H446N; G436M; G436D/T; N437E/G/Q; N437T/L538M; S438C/F/M/R/T; I439C/F/L/V; and/or A477S.

In some additional embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets: A24E; Q58R/Y475H; A70S/N474E; L104M/V476L; A119E/G365A; L206M; P275Q; G276V; Q292H/A479G; Q355H/I478C; P404T/A477V; I471F/G/K/M/N/R/V/W; F472G; Q473H/K/M/R/S; Q473H/A507S; N474A/H/R/W; N474D/R490H; Y475C/F/L/Q; V476C/I/L; I478N/S; A479G/S; F482C/L; G483C/H/S; G483A/S524I; G483R/G537C; and/or A558S.

In some additional embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets: V39A/K115E/M133R/C565N; V39A/M133R/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M133R/F472G/C565N; V39A/M133R/C503Q; V39A/M133R/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/Y378E/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/Y378E/C565N; V39A/M147A/L381G/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/L381G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/F472G/C565N; V39A/M147A/C565N; V39A/G248C/L381G/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/Y378E/C503Q/C565N; V39A/Y378E/C565N; V39A/L381G; V39A/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/C503Q/C565N; M133R/L381G/C565N; M133R/C503Q; Y378D/C503Q; Y378E/F472G/C503Q/C565N; L381G/F472GC503Q/C565N;

-   -   and/or F472G/C503Q/C565N.

In still some further embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets: I27E/V39A; I27E/V39A/R43L/V105C/A153R/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q; I27E/V39A/R43L/L214E/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/Q205T/P210C/P266H/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/Q205T/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/5131N/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/A153R/P210C/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/P210C/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/I285E/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P266H/C503Q; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P266H/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L278D/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L278D/I285E/C503Q; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L278D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/I285E/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/L214E; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/I285E; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/P210C/L214E/L278D/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/P210C/L278D/C503Q; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/P210C/L278D/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/P210C/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/P210C/L214E/P266H/L278D; I27E/V39A/V105C/L214E/P266H/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/L214E/L278D/L309P/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/V105C/I285E/A547D; I27E/V39A/V105C/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/V105C/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/P210C/L214E/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/L214E/P266H/A551D; I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/P266H/I285E; I27E/V39A/A112C/Q205T/L214E/P266H/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/A112C/Q205T/L278D/I285E; I27E/V39A/A112C/L214E; I27E/V39A/A112C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/A112C/I285E; I27E/V39A/A112C/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/L214E/P266H/C503Q; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/P210C/L214E/L278D/I285E/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153G/L214E/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L278D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L278D/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/Q205T/P266H/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q; I27E/V39A/R134Q/P210C/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/L214E/P266H/A551D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/R134Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/P266H/I285E/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/P266H/A551D; I27E/V39A/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V39A/Q205T/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/P210C/T212S; I27E/V39A/P210C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/P210C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/P210C/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/P210C/P266H/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/L214E; I27E/V39A/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V39A/L214E/L278D/C503Q; I27E/V39A/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V39A/L214E/C503Q/A551D; I27E/V39A/P266H; I27E/V39A/P266H/L278D; I27E/V39A/L278D; I27E/V39A/L278D/A547D; I27E/V39A/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V39A/L278D/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V39A/C503Q; I27E/G45D/Q205T/P266H/C565N; I27E/V105C; I27E/V105C/R134Q/A153R/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V105C/R134Q/A153R/I285E/A547D; I27E/V105C/R134Q/A153R/C503Q; I27E/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/P210C/C503Q; I27E/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/C565N; I27E/V105C/Q205T/P266H/C503Q; I27E/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/P266H/L278D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/R134Q/P210C/P266H/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D; I27E/V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/Q205T; I27E/V105C/Q205T/L214E/P266H; I27E/V105C/Q205T/L214E/P266H/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/Q205T/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/Q205T/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/L214E; I27E/V105C/L214E/P266H/C503Q; I27E/V105C/L214E/I285E/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/L214E/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/L214E/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/P266H; I27E/V105C/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V105C/L278D/A547D; I27E/V105C/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/V105C/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/V105C/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; I27E/A112C/R134Q/A153R/L214E/P266H/C503Q; I27E/A112C/R134Q/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/L278D/C503Q; I27E/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/I285E/C503Q; I27E/A112C/Q205T/P266H/L278D/I285E/C503Q; I27E/A112C/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/R134Q; I27E/R134Q/A153R/I285E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/R134Q/Q205T/I285E/C503Q/A551D; I27E/R134Q/Q205T/P266H/L278D/A547D; I27E/R134Q/P210C; I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q; I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/C565N; I27E/R134Q/L278D/I285E/A551D/C565N; I27E/R134Q/I285E/C503Q; I27E/A153R/L214E/L278D/I285E/A551D/C565N; I27E/A153R/L214E/L278D/A551D; I27E/Q205T; I27E/Q205T/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/C565N; I27E/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/Q205T/P266H/L278D/I285E/A551D/C565N; I27E/Q205T/L278D/A551D; I27E/P210C; I27E/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/P210C/L278D/C503Q; I27E/P210C/C503Q; I27E/P210C/C503Q/C565N; I27E/P210C/A551D; I27E/L214E; I27E/L214E/P266H/L278D/I285E/A551D; I27E/L214E/L278D; I27E/L214E/L278D/C503Q; I27E/L214E/C503Q; I27E/L214E/C503Q/A547D; I27E/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; I27E/L214E/A551D; I27E/P266H/L278D/C503Q; I27E/P266H/A547D/A551D; I27E/L278D/C503Q/A551D; I27E/L278D/C503Q/A551D/C565N; I27E/A547D/C565N; V39A/G45S/L278D/C503Q/A551D; V39A/V105C/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/A551D; V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/A551D; V39A/V105C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; V39A/V105C/A153R/P266H/A547D/A551D; V39A/V105C/Q205T/C503Q; V39A/V105C/Q205T/A551D; V39A/V105C/P210C/A547D; V39A/V105C/L214E/P266H/A547D/C565N; V39A/V105C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; V39A/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/L278D; V39A/A112C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; V39A/A112C/A153R/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A547D; V39A/R134Q; V39A/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/C565N; V39A/R134Q/P210C/L214E/A547D/C565N; V39A/A153R/C503Q/A547D; V39A/Q205T/L278D/A547D/A551D; V39A/P210C/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A551D; V39A/P266H; V39A/P275R/L278D/C503Q/A551D; V39A/C503Q; V39A/C503Q/A551D/C565N; V105C; V105C/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/Y492H/C503Q/A547D; V105C/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/L214E/C503Q; V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/A547D; V105C/R134Q/Q205T/P266H/L278D; V105C/R134Q/L214E/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C565N; V105C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D; V105C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; V105C/R134Q/C503Q; V105C/R134Q/C503Q/A547D; V105C/R134Q/C503Q/A547D/C565N; V105C/A153R/Q205T/L214E/P266H/C503Q/A547D; V105C/A153R/Q205T/P266H/I285E/A547D/C565N; V105C/Q205T/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D; V105C/Q205T/L214E/L278D; V105C/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; V105C/Q205T/C503Q/A551D; V105C/L214E/P266H/L278D/A547D; V105C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D; V105C/L214E/I285E; V105C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; V105C/L214E/I285E/A547D/C565N; V105C/L278D/C503Q/A551D; V105C/I285E; V105C/I285E/A547D; V105C/C503Q; V105C/A547D/A551D; A112C/R134Q/A153R/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; A112C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; A112C/L214E/L278D; A112C/L278D/C503Q/A547D; R134Q/Q205T/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N; R134Q/Q205T/C503Q; R134Q/P210C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N; R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D; R134Q/L214E; R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q; R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A551D; R134Q/L214E/I285E/C503Q; R134Q/C503Q; R134Q/C503Q/A547D/A551D; A153R; Q205T/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D; Q205T/L214E/I285E/C503Q/C565N; Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N; Q205T/L278D/I285E/A547D/A551D; P210C/L214E; P210C/L214E/P266H; L214E/P266H; L214E/P266H/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; L214E/C503Q/A547D; L214E/A547D; P266H/L278D/C503Q; P266H/C565N; L278D/A547D; C503Q; C503Q/A547D; C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N; C503Q/A547D/C565N; C503Q/A551D; C503Q/A551D/C565N; A547D; C565N; V80I/R134C/P564Q; V121C; A123G; A124G; M125L; L1261/T; L126M/R134L; L127A; A129G/L; N130Q; N130C/M370I R134W; M133R; R134I; R134N/G307C; G135C/S; G135A/A394E; G20S/I144L; R43S; L47M/I144L; L47M/R146E; L47M/M147G/A383E; L47M/P157C; Q58H/L143V; Q58K/P157D/G369C; A62S/M147V; S82I/G135C/P157F/W279L; R94C/I149E; T110I/I139R; L118M/L141H; A119E/T156H/A289D; I139M/V; R140D/G/M; R140N/A199E; R140E/A334S/A551D; L141K/Q/P/T; E142H/P/V; E142D/G371D; L143F/M; I144L/N/V; K145N/Q/R; K145G/P157T; R146H/L; R146W/D191Y; M147A; I149L/R; F150K/L/M; L151M; A153C/G; A153S/H250N; G154R; G154Y/L174M/Q321K/S456I/G483C; T156K/G483C; P157D/F/H/Y; Y158E; V159C/H/L/M; M247I; L319M; Q389K; P117T/Y176Q; V172I/C/L; L174M; S175G; Y176E/I/M/R/V; I177M/V; T178L/A477S; S180C/T; R43S/H374K; R43S/H374R; A112S/M370A/A507E; M147I/H374S; S187R/L381V; D191Y/H385N; A232S; Q240K/H374R; A256S/L381N; P275Q/M370S; P275T/H374R; Q332K/Y377M; A334S/H374V; L349M; Q355K/H374S; M370G/I/S; G371H/N/Q/S; M372A/V; H374A/D/G/L/N/R/S/T; H374Q/P396Q; H374R/G417C; L375I; L375M; Y377C/I/N; Y378C/D/E/I/L/N/S; Y378F/P404Q; I379C/H/L/M/N; L381G/V; L381M/Q560K; L382C/H/I/M/S; A383S/V; K384R; H385C/G/N; H385M/P403H; H385S/P403H; D387S; L418M; G425V; A447S; S461G; S525L; A24S/F434M; A62S/T433N; S98I; L213M/S438L; Q240K/T433Y; S286R/Y435T; A289S/L431E; S331I; L431C/E/G/P/S/V; L432C/V; T433A/I/L/N/P/Q/R/S/V/W; F434C; Y435L; Y435Q/H446N; G436M; G436D/T; N437E/G/Q; N437T/L538M; S438C/F/M/R/T; I439C/F/L/V; A477S; A24E; Q58R/Y475H; A70S/N474E; L104M/V476L; A119E/G365A; L206M; P275Q; G276V; Q292H/A479G; Q355H/I478C; P404T/A477V; I471F/G/K/M/N/R/V/W; F472G; Q473H/K/M/R/S; Q473H/A507S; N474A/H/R/W; N474D/R490H; Y475C/F/L/Q; V476C/I/L; I478N/S; A479G/S; F482C/L; G483C/H/S; G483A/S524I; G483R/G537C; A558S; V39A/K115E/M133R/C565N; V39A/M133R/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M133R/F472G/C565N; V39A/M133R/C503Q; V39A/M133R/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/Y378E/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/Y378E/C565N; V39A/M147A/L381G/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/L381G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/M147A/F472G/C565N; V39A/M147A/C565N; V39A/G248C/L381G/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/Y378E/C503Q/C565N; V39A/Y378E/C565N; V39A/L381G; V39A/F472G/C503Q/C565N; V39A/C503Q/C565N; M133R/L381G/C565N; M133R/C503Q; Y378D/C503Q; Y378E/F472G/C503Q/C565N; L381G/F472GC503Q/C565N; and/or F472G/C503Q/C565N.

The present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising: a) an amino acid sequence having at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or greater sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:26 or a functional fragment thereof; b) a polypeptide sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:26 or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, v) reduced immunogenicity, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii), iv), or v), as compared to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO:26.

In some embodiments, the present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising: a) an amino acid sequence having at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:26 or a functional fragment thereof; b) a polypeptide sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:26 or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, v) reduced immunogenicity, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii), iv), or v), as compared to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO:26.

In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprising: a) an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:26 or a functional fragment thereof; b) a polypeptide sequence comprising at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:26 or the functional fragment thereof at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation, v) reduced immunogenicity, or a combination of any of i), ii), iii), iv), or v), as compared to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO:26. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:26, and at least one amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:126, and that exhibit at least one improved property selected from enhanced catalytic activity, reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, increased tolerance to acidic pH, reduced aggregation, and/or reduced immunogenicity, as compared to SEQ ID NO:26. In some embodiments of the engineered polypeptides, the amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:26 is selected from one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets A24E/G381L; L127V; A129I/V; S131C/T; H132L/S; R134C/F/H/K; R134H/Y378E/G381L; R134H/Y378E/G381L/V388T; R134H/V388T; A136K; A289S; M372L; H374G/M/Q; G381A/C/F/I/L/M/N/Q/S/T; A383C/M; V388C/T; L431M; and/or L563M.

In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention has at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention has at least about 90% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4, while in some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least about 95% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention has at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention has at least 90% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4, while in some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptide has at least 95% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptides comprise functional fragments of polypeptides (e.g., any of the variant provided in the Tables, herein) having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention has at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or 26. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention has at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or 26. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or 26. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or 26, or a functional fragment thereof. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptides comprise functional fragments of polypeptides (e.g., functional fragments of SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or 26, as well as any of the variants provided in the Tables, herein) having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity of the present invention.

The present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, wherein the engineered polypeptides are variant PALs provided in any of Tables 2-1 through 2-5 and/or Tables 9-1 through 9-7.

In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity is an Anabaena variabilis enzyme. In some additional embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity are thermostable. In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity are resistant to proteolysis. In some additional embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity are resistant to proteolysis by at least one digestive tract enzyme. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity are resistant to proteolysis by chymotrypsin, trypsin, carboxypeptidases, and/or elastases. In some further embodiments, the engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity is acid stable.

The present invention also provides engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity that are deimmunized. In some embodiments, the deimmunized engineered polypeptides comprise an amino acid sequence having at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or greater, sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or 26. In some additional embodiments, the deimmunized engineered polypeptides comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater, sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or 26. In some embodiments, the deimmunized engineered polypeptides comprise an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or 26. In some embodiments, the deimmunized engineered polypeptides comprise an amino acid sequence having 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and/or 26.

In still some further embodiments, the present invention provides purified engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity.

The present invention also provides polynucleotide sequences encoding at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), as set forth herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence is operably linked to a control sequence. In some additional embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence is codon-optimized.

The present invention also provides expression vectors comprising at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, as provided herein. In some embodiments, the expression vector further comprises at least one control sequence. In some embodiments, the control sequence is a promoter. In some additional embodiments, the promoter is a heterologous promoter.

The present invention also provides host cells transformed with at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one engineered polypeptides having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, and/or at least one expression vector comprising at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity and at least one control sequence. In some embodiments, the host cells comprise at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity that is codon-optimized. In some embodiments, the host cell is E. coli.

The present invention also provides methods of producing at least one engineered PAL polypeptide in a host cell comprising culturing a host cell comprising at least one polynucleotide encoding at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, and/or at least one expression vector comprising at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity and at least one control sequence, under suitable culture conditions, such that the engineered PAL polypeptide is produced. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise the step of recovering at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) from the culture and/or host cells. In some further embodiments, the methods further comprise the step of purifying at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL).

The present invention also provides compositions comprising at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity as provided herein. In some embodiments, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments, the composition is a dietary and/or nutritional supplement. In some further embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions further comprise at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and/or carrier. In some additional embodiments, the composition is suitable for the treatment of phenylketonuria. In some further embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is suitable for oral administration to a human. In some embodiments, the composition is in the form of a pill, tablet, capsule, gelcap, liquid, or emulsion. In yet some further embodiments, the pill, tablet, capsule, or gelcap further comprises an enteric coating. In some additional embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is suitable for parenteral injection into a human. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is coadministered with at least one additional therapeutically effective compound. In some further embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises at least one additional therapeutically effective compound. In some additional embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is present in a dietary and/or nutritional supplement.

The present invention also provides methods for treating and/or preventing the symptoms of phenylketonuria in a subject, comprising providing a subject having phenylketonuria, and providing at least one composition provided herein to the subject. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a pharmaceutical composition, while in some alternative embodiments, the composition comprises a dietary/nutritional supplement. In some embodiments of the methods, the symptoms of phenylketonuria are ameliorated. In some additional embodiments, the treated subject is able to eat a diet that is less restricted in its methionine, phenylalanine, and/or tyrosine content than diets required by subjects exhibiting the symptoms of phenylalanine. In some embodiments, the treated subject (i.e., a subject who has been provided with at least one composition comprising at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity as provided herein) is able to eat a diet that is less restricted in its methionine, phenylalanine and/or tyrosine content than diets required by subjects who have not been provided at least one composition as provided herein. In some embodiments, the composition provided to the subjects comprises a pharmaceutical composition, while in some alternative embodiments, the composition comprises a dietary/nutritional supplement. The present invention also provides treated subjects, wherein the subject has been administered at least one composition and/or pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity as provided herein. In some embodiments, the subject is an animal selected from primates, rodents, and lagamorphs. In some additional embodiments, the subject is a mouse. In some further embodiments, the subject is a human. In still some further embodiments, the subject is a human infant or child, while in some alternative embodiments, the subject is a human adult or young adult. I

The present invention also provides uses of the compositions comprising at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides an alignment of wild-type PAL protein sequences: Anabaena variabilis PAL (NCBI YP_324488.1 (SEQ ID NO:4)); Nostoc punctiforme phenylalanine/histidine ammonia lyase “NpPHAL” (NCBI YP_001865631.1 (SEQ ID NO:30)); Rivularia sp. histidine ammonia-lyase “RspHAL” (NCBI YP_007056096.1 (SEQ ID NO:31)); Oscillatoria sp. histidine ammonia-lyase “Osp HAL” (NCBI ZP_07108482.1 (SEQ ID NO:32)); and Gloeocapsa sp. histidine ammonia-lyase “GspHAL” (NCBI YP_007127054.1) (SEQ ID NO:33)).

FIG. 2A shows the reduced sensitivity to proteolysis (expressed as chymotrypsin and trypsin tolerance) as compared to wild-type AvPAL tested at pH 7.0 for Variant No. 22 (SEQ ID NO:8), Variant No. 30 (SEQ ID NO:6) and Variant No. 36 (SEQ ID NO:10) as further described in Example 4.

FIG. 2B provides a graph showing an increased tolerance to acidic pH as compared to wild-type AvPAL tested at pH 4.0 to 5.2, for Variant Nos. 22, 30 and 36 as further described in Example 4.

FIG. 3 provides K_(M) results for wild-type PAL and Variant No. 36.

FIG. 4 provides data showing the amino acid specificity of wild-type PAL and Variant No. 36.

FIG. 5 provides results showing the relative stability of wild-type PAL and Variant No. 36 exposed to human chymotrypsin and trypsin.

FIG. 6 provides results showing the relative stability of wild-type PAL, and Variant Nos. 36, 42, and 43 exposed to porcine pancreatic extract.

FIG. 7 provides results showing the effect of varying concentrations of sodium taurocholate on the susceptibility of Variant 36 to proteolysis.

FIG. 8 provides results showing serum phenylalanine levels in mice treated with inactive protein (BSA), wild-type PAL, wild-type PAL in combination with aprotinin, or Variant 42.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides engineered PAL polypeptides, mutants, biologically active fragments and analogues thereof, and pharmaceutical and industrial compositions comprising the same.

The invention provides engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides and compositions thereof, as well as polynucleotides encoding the engineered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptides. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are optimized to provide enhanced catalytic activity, as well as reduced sensitivity to proteolysis and increased tolerance to acidic pH levels. In some embodiments the engineered PAL polypeptides are deimmunized. The invention also relates to the use of the compositions comprising the engineered PAL polypeptides for therapeutic and industrial purposes.

Abbreviations and Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein generally have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Generally, the nomenclature used herein and the laboratory procedures of cell culture, molecular genetics, microbiology, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry and nucleic acid chemistry described below are those well-known and commonly employed in the art. Such techniques are well-known and described in numerous texts and reference works well known to those of skill in the art. Standard techniques, or modifications thereof, are used for chemical syntheses and chemical analyses. All patents, patent applications, articles and publications mentioned herein, both supra and infra, are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Although any suitable methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein find use in the practice of the present invention, some methods and materials are described herein. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, and reagents described, as these may vary, depending upon the context they are used by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the terms defined immediately below are more fully described by reference to the application as a whole. All patents, patent applications, articles and publications mentioned herein, both supra and infra, are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Also, as used herein, the singular “a”, “an,” and “the” include the plural references, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range. Thus, every numerical range disclosed herein is intended to encompass every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein. It is also intended that every maximum (or minimum) numerical limitation disclosed herein includes every lower (or higher) numerical limitation, as if such lower (or higher) numerical limitations were expressly written herein.

The term “about” means an acceptable error for a particular value. In some instances “about” means within 0.05%, 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0%, of a given value range. In some instances, “about” means within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations of a given value.

Furthermore, the headings provided herein are not limitations of the various aspects or embodiments of the invention which can be had by reference to the application as a whole. Accordingly, the terms defined immediately below are more fully defined by reference to the application as a whole. Nonetheless, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, a number of terms are defined below.

Unless otherwise indicated, nucleic acids are written left to right in 5′ to 3′ orientation; amino acid sequences are written left to right in amino to carboxy orientation, respectively.

As used herein, the term “comprising” and its cognates are used in their inclusive sense (i.e., equivalent to the term “including” and its corresponding cognates).

“EC” number refers to the Enzyme Nomenclature of the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NC-IUBMB). The IUBMB biochemical classification is a numerical classification system for enzymes based on the chemical reactions they catalyze.

“ATCC” refers to the American Type Culture Collection whose biorepository collection includes genes and strains.

“NCBI” refers to National Center for Biological Information and the sequence databases provided therein.

As used herein, the term “phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) polypeptide” refers to a class of enzymes within the aromatic amino acid lyase family (EC 4.3.1.23, EC 4.3.1.24 and EC4.3.1.25) which also includes histidine ammonia-lyase, and tyrosine ammonia-lyase. The PAL polypeptides are also sometimes referred to as phenylalanine/tyrosine ammonia-lyases because some PAL enzymes may use tyrosine as well as phenylalanine as a substrate. However, the AvPAL and variants disclosed and claimed herein do not use tyrosine as a substrate. PAL polypeptides catalyze the conversion of L-phenylalanine to trans-cinnamic acid and ammonia. PAL activity refers to the enzymatic activity of PAL polypeptides. In some preferred embodiments, a PAL enzyme also contains the cofactor 3,5-dihydro-5-methylidene-4H-imidazol-4-one (MIO). This cofactor may be required for catalytic activity and is formed by cyclization and dehydration of a conserved active site Ala167-Ser168-Gly169 tripeptide segment.

“Protein,” “polypeptide,” and “peptide” are used interchangeably herein to denote a polymer of at least two amino acids covalently linked by an amide bond, regardless of length or post-translational modification (e.g., glycosylation or phosphorylation).

“Amino acids” are referred to herein by either their commonly known three-letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Nucleotides, likewise, may be referred to by their commonly accepted single letter codes.

The term “engineered,” “recombinant,” “non-naturally occurring,” and “variant,” when used with reference to a cell, a polynucleotide or a polypeptide refers to a material or a material corresponding to the natural or native form of the material that has been modified in a manner that would not otherwise exist in nature or is identical thereto but produced or derived from synthetic materials and/or by manipulation using recombinant techniques.

As used herein, “wild-type” and “naturally-occurring” refer to the form found in nature. For example a wild-type polypeptide or polynucleotide sequence is a sequence present in an organism that can be isolated from a source in nature and which has not been intentionally modified by human manipulation.

“Deimmunized” as used herein, refers to the manipulation of a protein to create a variant that is not as immunogenic as the wild-type or reference protein. In some embodiments, the deimmunization is complete, in that the variant protein does not stimulate an immune response in patients to whom the variant protein is administered. This response can be measured by various methods including but not limited to, the presence or abundance of neutralizing (i.e., anti-drug antibodies), the presence of an anaphylactic response, or the prevalence or intensity of cytokine release upon administration of the protein. In some embodiments, the variant protein is less immunogenic than the wild-type or reference protein. In some embodiments, deimmunization involves modifications to proteins (e.g., epitopes) that are recognized by T-cell receptors. In some embodiments, the T-cell epitopes are removed from a wild-type or reference protein in order to produce a deimmunized variant protein. In some embodiments, the deimmunized protein shows lower levels of response in biochemical and cell-biological predictors of human immunological responses including dendritic-cell T-cell activation assays, or human leukocyte antigen (HLA) peptide binding assays.

“Coding sequence” refers to that part of a nucleic acid (e.g., a gene) that encodes an amino acid sequence of a protein.

The term “percent (%) sequence identity” is used herein to refer to comparisons among polynucleotides and polypeptides, and are determined by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over a comparison window, wherein the portion of the polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) as compared to the reference sequence for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The percentage may be calculated by determining the number of positions at which the identical nucleic acid base or amino acid residue occurs in both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity. Alternatively, the percentage may be calculated by determining the number of positions at which either the identical nucleic acid base or amino acid residue occurs in both sequences or a nucleic acid base or amino acid residue is aligned with a gap to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity. Those of skill in the art appreciate that there are many established algorithms available to align two sequences. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Smith and Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math., 2:482 [1981]), by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch (Needleman and Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol., 48:443 [1970]), by the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman (Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444 [1988]), by computerized implementations of these algorithms (e.g., GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the GCG Wisconsin Software Package), or by visual inspection, as known in the art. Examples of algorithms that are suitable for determining percent sequence identity and sequence similarity include, but are not limited to the BLAST and BLAST 2.0 algorithms (See e.g., Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 215: 403-410 [1990]; and Altschul et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 3389-3402 [1977]). Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information website. This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length “W” in the query sequence, which either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score “T,” when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighborhood word score threshold (See, Altschul et al, supra). These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are then extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Cumulative scores are calculated using, for nucleotide sequences, the parameters “M” (reward score for a pair of matching residues; always >0) and “N” (penalty score for mismatching residues; always <0). For amino acid sequences, a scoring matrix is used to calculate the cumulative score. Extension of the word hits in each direction are halted when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity “X” from its maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below, due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments; or the end of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLASTN program (for nucleotide sequences) uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, an expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N=−4, and a comparison of both strands. For amino acid sequences, the BLASTP program uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 3, an expectation (E) of 10, and the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (See e.g., Henikoff and Henikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915 [1989]). Exemplary determination of sequence alignment and % sequence identity can employ the BESTFIT or GAP programs in the GCG Wisconsin Software package (Accelrys, Madison Wis.), using default parameters provided.

“Reference sequence” refers to a defined sequence used as a basis for a sequence comparison. A reference sequence may be a subset of a larger sequence, for example, a segment of a full-length gene or polypeptide sequence. Generally, a reference sequence is at least 20 nucleotide or amino acid residues in length, at least 25 residues in length, at least 50 residues in length, at least 100 residues in length or the full length of the nucleic acid or polypeptide. Since two polynucleotides or polypeptides may each (1) comprise a sequence (i.e., a portion of the complete sequence) that is similar between the two sequences, and (2) may further comprise a sequence that is divergent between the two sequences, sequence comparisons between two (or more) polynucleotides or polypeptide are typically performed by comparing sequences of the two polynucleotides or polypeptides over a “comparison window” to identify and compare local regions of sequence similarity. In some embodiments, a “reference sequence” can be based on a primary amino acid sequence, where the reference sequence is a sequence that can have one or more changes in the primary sequence. For instance, the phrase “reference sequence based on SEQ ID NO:4 having a valine at the residue corresponding to X39” refers to a reference sequence in which the corresponding residue at position X39 in SEQ ID NO:4 (e.g., an alanine), has been changed to valine.

“Comparison window” refers to a conceptual segment of at least about 20 contiguous nucleotide positions or amino acids residues wherein a sequence may be compared to a reference sequence of at least 20 contiguous nucleotides or amino acids and wherein the portion of the sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) of 20 percent or less as compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The comparison window can be longer than 20 contiguous residues, and includes, optionally 30, 40, 50, 100, or longer windows.

“Corresponding to”, “reference to,” and “relative to” when used in the context of the numbering of a given amino acid or polynucleotide sequence refer to the numbering of the residues of a specified reference sequence when the given amino acid or polynucleotide sequence is compared to the reference sequence. In other words, the residue number or residue position of a given polymer is designated with respect to the reference sequence rather than by the actual numerical position of the residue within the given amino acid or polynucleotide sequence. For example, a given amino acid sequence, such as that of an engineered PAL, can be aligned to a reference sequence by introducing gaps to optimize residue matches between the two sequences. In these cases, although the gaps are present, the numbering of the residue in the given amino acid or polynucleotide sequence is made with respect to the reference sequence to which it has been aligned.

“Amino acid difference” and “residue difference” refer to a difference in the amino acid residue at a position of a polypeptide sequence relative to the amino acid residue at a corresponding position in a reference sequence. The positions of amino acid differences generally are referred to herein as “Xn,” where n refers to the corresponding position in the reference sequence upon which the residue difference is based. For example, a “residue difference at position X91 as compared to SEQ ID NO:4” refers to a difference of the amino acid residue at the polypeptide position corresponding to position 91 of SEQ ID NO:4. Thus, if the reference polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4 has a alanine at position 91, then a “residue difference at position X91 as compared to SEQ ID NO:4” refers to an amino acid substitution of any residue other than alanine at the position of the polypeptide corresponding to position 91 of SEQ ID NO:4. In most instances herein, the specific amino acid residue difference at a position is indicated as “XnY” where “Xn” specified the corresponding residue and position of the reference polypeptide (as described above), and “Y” is the single letter identifier of the amino acid found in the engineered polypeptide (i.e., the different residue than in the reference polypeptide). In some instances (e.g., in the Tables in the Examples), the present disclosure also provides specific amino acid differences denoted by the conventional notation “AnB”, where A is the single letter identifier of the residue in the reference sequence, “n” is the number of the residue position in the reference sequence, and B is the single letter identifier of the residue substitution in the sequence of the engineered polypeptide. In some instances, a polypeptide of the present disclosure can include one or more amino acid residue differences relative to a reference sequence, which is indicated by a list of the specified positions where residue differences are present relative to the reference sequence. In some embodiments, where more than one amino acid can be used in a specific residue position of a polypeptide, the various amino acid residues that can be used are separated by a “/” (e.g., X307G/X307Q or X307G/Q). The present disclosure includes engineered polypeptide sequences comprising one or more amino acid differences that include either/or both conservative and non-conservative amino acid substitutions.

The terms “amino acid substitution set” and “substitution set” refers to a group of amino acid substitutions within a polypeptide sequence. In some embodiments, substitution sets comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or more amino acid substitutions. In some embodiments, a substitution set refers to the set of amino acid substitutions that is present in any of the variant AvPAL polypeptides listed in any of the Tables in the Examples. For example, the substitution set present in Variant 36 is A39V/A91V/N290G/H307G/L407V/T524S, wherein the amino acid positions are relative to SEQ ID NO:4.

“Conservative amino acid substitution” refers to a substitution of a residue with a different residue having a similar side chain, and thus typically involves substitution of the amino acid in the polypeptide with amino acids within the same or similar defined class of amino acids. By way of example and not limitation, an amino acid with an aliphatic side chain may be substituted with another aliphatic amino acid (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine); an amino acid with hydroxyl side chain is substituted with another amino acid with a hydroxyl side chain (e.g., serine and threonine); an amino acids having aromatic side chains is substituted with another amino acid having an aromatic side chain (e.g., phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and histidine); an amino acid with a basic side chain is substituted with another amino acid with a basis side chain (e.g., lysine and arginine); an amino acid with an acidic side chain is substituted with another amino acid with an acidic side chain (e.g., aspartic acid or glutamic acid); and a hydrophobic or hydrophilic amino acid is replaced with another hydrophobic or hydrophilic amino acid, respectively.

“Non-conservative substitution” refers to substitution of an amino acid in the polypeptide with an amino acid with significantly differing side chain properties. Non-conservative substitutions may use amino acids between, rather than within, the defined groups and affect: (a) the structure of the peptide backbone in the area of the substitution (e.g., proline for glycine); (b) the charge or hydrophobicity; and/or (c) the bulk of the side chain. By way of example and not limitation, exemplary non-conservative substitutions include an acidic amino acid substituted with a basic or aliphatic amino acid; an aromatic amino acid substituted with a small amino acid; and a hydrophilic amino acid substituted with a hydrophobic amino acid.

“Deletion” refers to modification to the polypeptide by removal of one or more amino acids from the reference polypeptide. Deletions can comprise removal of 1 or more amino acids, 2 or more amino acids, 5 or more amino acids, 10 or more amino acids, 15 or more amino acids, or 20 or more amino acids, up to 10% of the total number of amino acids, or up to 20% of the total number of amino acids making up the reference enzyme while retaining enzymatic activity and/or retaining the improved properties of an engineered transaminase enzyme. Deletions can be directed to the internal portions and/or terminal portions of the polypeptide. In various embodiments, the deletion can comprise a continuous segment or can be discontinuous.

“Insertion” refers to modification to the polypeptide by addition of one or more amino acids from the reference polypeptide. Insertions can be in the internal portions of the polypeptide, or to the carboxy or amino terminus. Insertions as used herein include fusion proteins as is known in the art. The insertion can be a contiguous segment of amino acids or separated by one or more of the amino acids in the naturally occurring polypeptide.

The terms “functional fragment” and “biologically active fragment” are used interchangeably herein, to refer to a polypeptide that has an amino-terminal and/or carboxy-terminal deletion(s) and/or internal deletions, but where the remaining amino acid sequence is identical to the corresponding positions in the sequence to which it is being compared (e.g., a full length engineered PAL of the present invention) and that retains substantially all of the activity of the full-length polypeptide.

“Isolated polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide which is substantially separated from other contaminants that naturally accompany it (e.g., protein, lipids, and polynucleotides). The term embraces polypeptides which have been removed or purified from their naturally-occurring environment or expression system (e.g., host cell or in vitro synthesis). The recombinant PAL polypeptides may be present within a cell, present in the cellular medium, or prepared in various forms, such as lysates or isolated preparations. As such, in some embodiments, the recombinant PAL polypeptides provided herein are isolated polypeptides.

“Substantially pure polypeptide” refers to a composition in which the polypeptide species is the predominant species present (i.e., on a molar or weight basis it is more abundant than any other individual macromolecular species in the composition), and is generally a substantially purified composition when the object species comprises at least about 50 percent of the macromolecular species present by mole or % weight. Generally, a substantially pure PAL composition will comprise about 60% or more, about 70% or more, about 80% or more, about 90% or more, about 95% or more, and about 98% or more of all macromolecular species by mole or % weight present in the composition. In some embodiments, the object species is purified to essential homogeneity (i.e., contaminant species cannot be detected in the composition by conventional detection methods) wherein the composition consists essentially of a single macromolecular species. Solvent species, small molecules (<500 Daltons), and elemental ion species are not considered macromolecular species. In some embodiments, the isolated recombinant PAL polypeptides are substantially pure polypeptide compositions.

“Improved enzyme property” refers to an engineered PAL polypeptide that exhibits an improvement in any enzyme property as compared to a reference PAL polypeptide, such as a wild-type PAL polypeptide (e.g., AvPAL wild-type having SEQ ID NO:4) or another engineered PAL polypeptide. Improved properties include but are not limited to such properties as increased protein expression, increased thermoactivity, increased thermostability, increased pH activity, increased stability, increased enzymatic activity, increased substrate specificity and/or affinity, increased specific activity, increased resistance to substrate and/or end-product inhibition, increased chemical stability, improved chemoselectivity, improved solvent stability, increased tolerance to acidic pH, increased tolerance to proteolytic activity (i.e., reduced sensitivity to proteolysis), reduced aggregation, increased solubility, reduced immunogenicity, and altered temperature profile.

“Increased enzymatic activity” and “enhanced catalytic activity” refer to an improved property of the engineered PAL polypeptides, which can be represented by an increase in specific activity (e.g., product produced/time/weight protein) and/or an increase in percent conversion of the substrate to the product (e.g., percent conversion of starting amount of substrate to product in a specified time period using a specified amount of PAL) as compared to the reference PAL enzyme (e.g., wild-type AvPAL and/or another engineered AvPAL). Exemplary methods to determine enzyme activity are provided in the Examples. Any property relating to enzyme activity may be affected, including the classical enzyme properties of K_(m), V_(max) or k_(cat), changes of which can lead to increased enzymatic activity. Improvements in enzyme activity can be from about 1.1 fold the enzymatic activity of the corresponding wild-type enzyme, to as much as 2-fold, 5-fold, 10-fold, 20-fold, 25-fold, 50-fold, 75-fold, 100-fold, 150-fold, 200-fold or more enzymatic activity than the naturally occurring PAL or another engineered PAL from which the PAL polypeptides were derived.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides have a k_(cat) of at least 0.1/sec, at least 0.2/sec, at least 0.3/sec, at least 0.5/sec, at least 1.0/sec and in some preferred embodiments greater than 1.0/sec. In some embodiments, the K_(m) is in the range of about 1 μm to about 5 mM; in the range of about 5 μm to about 2 mM; in the range of about 10 nm to about 2 mM; or in the range of about 10 μm to about 1 mM. In some specific embodiments, the engineered PAL enzyme exhibits improved enzymatic activity in the range of 1.5 to 10 fold, 1.5 to 25 fold, 1.5 to 50 fold, 1.5 to 100 fold or greater, than that of the reference PAL enzyme. PAL activity can be measured by any standard assay known in the art, (e.g., by monitoring changes in spectrophotometric properties of reactants or products). In some embodiments, the amount of products produced is measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) separation combined with UV absorbance or fluorescent detection directly or following o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) derivatization. In some embodiments, comparisons of enzyme activities are made using a defined preparation of enzyme, a defined assay under a set condition, and one or more defined substrates, as further described in detail herein. Generally, when lysates are compared, the numbers of cells and the amount of protein assayed are determined as well as use of identical expression systems and identical host cells, in order to minimize variations in amount of enzyme produced by the host cells and present in the lysates.

The term “improved tolerance to acidic pH” means that a recombinant PAL according to the invention exhibits increased stability (i.e., higher retained activity at about pH 7.0, after exposure to acidic pH for a specified period of time [1 hour, up to 24 hours]) as compared to a reference PAL.

“Physiological pH” as used herein means the pH range generally found in a subject's (e.g., human) small intestine. There normally is a gradient pH from the pyloric valve to the large intestine, in the range of about 6.0 to 7.5.

The term “acidic pH” used with reference to improved stability to acidic pH conditions or increased tolerance to acidic pH means a pH range of about 1.5 to 6.8.

The terms “proteolytic activity” and “proteolysis” used interchangeably herein refer to the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids. The breakdown of proteins is generally the result of hydrolysis of the peptide bond by protease (proteinase) enzymes. Protease enzymes include but are not limited to pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase; carboxypeptidase A and B, and peptidases (e.g., amino peptidase, dipeptidase and enteropeptidase).

The phrases “reducing sensitivity to proteolysis” and “reducing proteolytic sensitivity” are used interchangeably herein mean that an engineered PAL polypeptide according to the invention will have a higher enzyme activity compared to a reference PAL in a standard assay (e.g., as disclosed in the Examples) after treatment with one or more proteases.

“Aggregation” means clumping or precipitation of a PAL polypeptide. Aggregation can lead to inactivation of the enzyme. The term “reduced aggregation” means an engineered PAL polypeptide will be less prone to aggregation, as compared to a reference PAL. Methods for assessing aggregation are known in the art, including but not limited to the use of fluorescent microscopy with appropriate dyes (e.g., thioflavin T or Nile Red), dynamic light scattering, flow cytometry with appropriate dyes (e.g., Bodipy), filtration and analysis by SDS-PAGE, and/or Western blotting, fluorescent correlation spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. There are commercially available kits to assess aggregation (e.g., the ProteoStat® Protein Aggregation Assay kit [Enzo]).

“Conversion” refers to the enzymatic conversion (or biotransformation) of substrate(s) to the corresponding product(s). “Percent conversion” refers to the percent of the substrate that is converted to the product within a period of time under specified conditions. Thus, the “enzymatic activity” or “activity” of a PAL polypeptide can be expressed as “percent conversion” of the substrate to the product in a specific period of time.

“Hybridization stringency” relates to hybridization conditions, such as washing conditions, in the hybridization of nucleic acids. Generally, hybridization reactions are performed under conditions of lower stringency, followed by washes of varying but higher stringency. The term “moderately stringent hybridization” refers to conditions that permit target-DNA to bind a complementary nucleic acid that has about 60% identity, preferably about 75% identity, about 85% identity to the target DNA, with greater than about 90% identity to target-polynucleotide. Exemplary moderately stringent conditions are conditions equivalent to hybridization in 50% formamide, 5×Denhart's solution, 5×SSPE, 0.2% SDS at 42° C., followed by washing in 0.2×SSPE, 0.2% SDS, at 42° C. “High stringency hybridization” refers generally to conditions that are about 10° C. or less from the thermal melting temperature T_(n), as determined under the solution condition for a defined polynucleotide sequence. In some embodiments, a high stringency condition refers to conditions that permit hybridization of only those nucleic acid sequences that form stable hybrids in 0.018M NaCl at 65° C. (i.e., if a hybrid is not stable in 0.018M NaCl at 65° C., it will not be stable under high stringency conditions, as contemplated herein). High stringency conditions can be provided, for example, by hybridization in conditions equivalent to 50% formamide, 5×Denhart's solution, 5×SSPE, 0.2% SDS at 42° C., followed by washing in 0.1×SSPE, and 0.1% SDS at 65° C. Another high stringency condition is hybridizing in conditions equivalent to hybridizing in 5×SSC containing 0.1% (w:v) SDS at 65° C. and washing in 0.1×SSC containing 0.1% SDS at 65° C. Other high stringency hybridization conditions, as well as moderately stringent conditions, are described in the references cited above.

“Codon optimized” refers to changes in the codons of the polynucleotide encoding a protein to those preferentially used in a particular organism such that the encoded protein is more efficiently expressed in that organism. Although the genetic code is degenerate, in that most amino acids are represented by several codons, called “synonyms” or “synonymous” codons, it is well known that codon usage by particular organisms is nonrandom and biased towards particular codon triplets. This codon usage bias may be higher in reference to a given gene, genes of common function or ancestral origin, highly expressed proteins versus low copy number proteins, and the aggregate protein coding regions of an organism's genome. In some embodiments, the polynucleotides encoding the PAL enzymes are codon optimized for optimal production from the host organism selected for expression.

“Control sequence” refers herein to include all components, that are necessary or advantageous for the expression of a polynucleotide and/or polypeptide of the present disclosure. Each control sequence may be native or foreign to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide. Such control sequences include, but are not limited to, leaders, polyadenylation sequences, propeptide sequences, promoter sequences, signal peptide sequences, initiation sequences, and transcription terminators. At a minimum, the control sequences include a promoter, and transcriptional and translational stop signals. In some embodiments, the control sequences are provided with linkers for the purpose of introducing specific restriction sites facilitating ligation of the control sequences with the coding region of the nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide.

“Operably linked” is defined herein as a configuration in which a control sequence is appropriately placed (i.e., in a functional relationship) at a position relative to a polynucleotide of interest such that the control sequence directs or regulates the expression of the polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of interest.

“Promoter sequence” refers to a nucleic acid sequence that is recognized by a host cell for expression of a polynucleotide of interest, such as a coding sequence. The promoter sequence contains transcriptional control sequences that mediate the expression of a polynucleotide of interest. The promoter may be any nucleic acid sequence which shows transcriptional activity in the host cell of choice including mutant, truncated, and hybrid promoters, and may be obtained from genes encoding extracellular or intracellular polypeptides either homologous or heterologous to the host cell.

“Suitable reaction conditions” refers to those conditions in the enzymatic conversion reaction solution (e.g., ranges of enzyme loading, substrate loading, temperature, pH, buffers, co-solvents, etc.) under which a PAL polypeptide of the present disclosure is capable of converting a substrate to the desired product compound, Exemplary “suitable reaction conditions” are provided herein (See, the Examples).

“Loading”, such as in “compound loading” or “enzyme loading” refers to the concentration or amount of a component in a reaction mixture at the start of the reaction. “Substrate” in the context of an enzymatic conversion reaction process refers to the compound or molecule acted on by the PAL polypeptide. “Product” in the context of an enzymatic conversion process refers to the compound or molecule resulting from the action of the PAL polypeptide on the substrate.

As used herein the term “culturing” refers to the growing of a population of microbial cells under suitable conditions using any suitable medium (e.g., liquid, gel, or solid).

Recombinant polypeptides (e.g., PAL enzyme variants) can be produced using any suitable methods known the art. For example, there is a wide variety of different mutagenesis techniques well known to those skilled in the art. In addition, mutagenesis kits are also available from many commercial molecular biology suppliers. Methods are available to make specific substitutions at defined amino acids (site-directed), specific or random mutations in a localized region of the gene (regio-specific), or random mutagenesis over the entire gene (e.g., saturation mutagenesis). Numerous suitable methods are known to those in the art to generate enzyme variants, including but not limited to site-directed mutagenesis of single-stranded DNA or double-stranded DNA using PCR, cassette mutagenesis, gene synthesis, error-prone PCR, shuffling, and chemical saturation mutagenesis, or any other suitable method known in the art. Non-limiting examples of methods used for DNA and protein engineering are provided in the following patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,117,679; 6,420,175; 6,376,246; 6,586,182; 7,747,391; 7,747,393; 7,783,428; and 8,383,346. After the variants are produced, they can be screened for any desired property (e.g., high or increased activity, or low or reduced activity, increased thermal activity, increased thermal stability, and/or acidic pH stability, etc.). In some embodiments, “recombinant PAL polypeptides” (also referred to herein as “engineered PAL polypeptides,” “variant PAL enzymes,” and “PAL variants”) find use.

As used herein, a “vector” is a DNA construct for introducing a DNA sequence into a cell. In some embodiments, the vector is an expression vector that is operably linked to a suitable control sequence capable of effecting the expression in a suitable host of the polypeptide encoded in the DNA sequence. In some embodiments, an “expression vector” has a promoter sequence operably linked to the DNA sequence (e.g., transgene) to drive expression in a host cell, and in some embodiments, also comprises a transcription terminator sequence.

As used herein, the term “expression” includes any step involved in the production of the polypeptide including, but not limited to, transcription, post-transcriptional modification, translation, and post-translational modification. In some embodiments, the term also encompasses secretion of the polypeptide from a cell.

As used herein, the term “produces” refers to the production of proteins and/or other compounds by cells. It is intended that the term encompass any step involved in the production of polypeptides including, but not limited to, transcription, post-transcriptional modification, translation, and post-translational modification. In some embodiments, the term also encompasses secretion of the polypeptide from a cell.

As used herein, an amino acid or nucleotide sequence (e.g., a promoter sequence, signal peptide, terminator sequence, etc.) is “heterologous” to another sequence with which it is operably linked if the two sequences are not associated in nature.

As used herein, the terms “host cell” and “host strain” refer to suitable hosts for expression vectors comprising DNA provided herein (e.g., a polynucleotide sequences encoding at least one AvPAL variant). In some embodiments, the host cells are prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells that have been transformed or transfected with vectors constructed using recombinant DNA techniques as known in the art.

The term “analogue” means a polypeptide having more than 70% sequence identity but less than 100% sequence identity (e.g., more than 75%, 78%, 80%, 83%, 85%, 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% sequence identity) with a reference polypeptide. In some embodiments, analogues include non-naturally occurring amino acid residues including, but not limited, to homoarginine, ornithine and norvaline, as well as naturally occurring amino acids. In some embodiments, analogues also include one or more D-amino acid residues and non-peptide linkages between two or more amino acid residues.

The term “therapeutic” refers to a compound administered to a subject who shows signs or symptoms of pathology having beneficial or desirable medical effects.

The term “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a composition suitable for pharmaceutical use in a mammalian subject (e.g., human) comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an engineered PAL polypeptide encompassed by the invention and an acceptable carrier.

The term “effective amount” means an amount sufficient to produce the desired result. One of general skill in the art may determine what the effective amount by using routine experimentation.

The terms “isolated” and “purified” are used to refer to a molecule (e.g., an isolated nucleic acid, polypeptide, etc.) or other component that is removed from at least one other component with which it is naturally associated. The term “purified” does not require absolute purity, rather it is intended as a relative definition.

The term “subject” encompasses mammals such as humans, non-human primates, livestock, companion animals, and laboratory animals (e.g., rodents and lagamorphs). It is intended that the term encompass females as well as males.

As used herein, the term “patient” means any subject that is being assessed for, treated for, or is experiencing disease.

The term “infant” refers to a child in the period of the first month after birth to approximately one (1) year of age. As used herein, the term “newborn” refers to child in the period from birth to the 28th day of life. The term “premature infant” refers to an infant born after the twentieth completed week of gestation, yet before full term, generally weighing ˜500 to ˜2499 grams at birth. A “very low birth weight infant” is an infant weighing less than 1500 g at birth.

As used herein, the term “child” refers to a person who has not attained the legal age for consent to treatment or research procedures. In some embodiments, the term refers to a person between the time of birth and adolescence.

As used herein, the term “adult” refers to a person who has attained legal age for the relevant jurisdiction (e.g., 18 years of age in the United States). In some embodiments, the term refers to any fully grown, mature organism. In some embodiments, the term “young adult” refers to a person less than 18 years of age, but who has reached sexual maturity.

As used herein, “composition” and “formulation” encompass products comprising at least one engineered PAL of the present invention, intended for any suitable use (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, dietary/nutritional supplements, feed, etc.).

The terms “administration” and “administering” a composition mean providing a composition of the present invention to a subject (e.g., to a person suffering from the effects of PKU).

The term “carrier” when used in reference to a pharmaceutical composition means any of the standard pharmaceutical carrier, buffers, and excipients, such as stabilizers, preservatives, and adjuvants.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” means a material that can be administered to a subject without causing any undesirable biological effects or interacting in a deleterious manner with any of the components in which it is contained and that possesses the desired biological activity.

As used herein, the term “excipient” refers to any pharmaceutically acceptable additive, carrier, diluent, adjuvant, or other ingredient, other than the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API; e.g., the engineered PAL polypeptides of the present invention). Excipients are typically included for formulation and/or administration purposes.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” when used in reference to symptoms of disease/condition refers to the amount and/or concentration of a compound (e.g., engineered PAL polypeptides) that ameliorates, attenuates, or eliminates one or more symptom of a disease/condition or prevents or delays the onset of symptom(s) (e.g., PKU). In some embodiments, the term is use in reference to the amount of a composition that elicits the biological (e.g., medical) response by a tissue, system, or animal subject that is sought by the researcher, physician, veterinarian, or other clinician.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” when used in reference to a disease/condition refers to the amount and/or concentration of a composition that ameliorates, attenuates, or eliminates the disease/condition.

It is intended that the terms “treating,” “treat” and “treatment” encompass preventative (e.g., prophylactic), as well as palliative treatment.

Engineered PAL Polypeptides:

The parent PAL polypeptides from which the engineered PAL polypeptides of the invention are derived from include bacterial strains such as Anabaena (e.g., A. variabilis), Nostoc (e.g., N. punctiforme), Rhodosporidium (e.g., R. toruloides), Streptomyces (e.g., S. maritimus or S. verticillatus), Oscillatoria sp., Gloeocapsa sp., and Rivularia sp. PAL enzymes from these strains have been identified and are well known. Homologous enzyme sequences from Anabaena (A. variabilis) ATCC 29413 and NCBI YP_324488.1; Nostoc (N. punctiforme) ATCC 29133 and NCBI YP_00186563.1; Oscillatoria sp. PCC 6506 and NCBI ZP_07108482.1 and Gloeocapsa sp. PCC7428 and NCBI YP_007127054.1 are provided in FIG. 1. The Nostoc punctiforme phenylalanine/histidine ammonia lyase “NpPHAL” (NCBI YP_001865631.1 (SEQ ID NO:30); Rivularia sp. histidine ammonia-lyase “RspHAL” (NCBI YP_007056096.1 (SEQ ID NO:31); Oscillatoria sp. histidine ammonia-lyase “Osp HAL” (NCBI ZP_07108482.1 (SEQ ID NO:32); and Gloeocapsa sp. histidine ammonia-lyase “GspHAL” (NCBI YP_007127054.1) (SEQ ID NO:33) have more than 70% homology with AvPAL (SEQ ID NO:4).

Furthermore, when a particular PAL variant (i.e., an engineered PAL polypeptide) is referred to by reference to modification of particular amino acids residues in the sequence of a wild-type PAL or reference PAL it is to be understood that variants of another PAL modified in the equivalent position(s) (as determined from the optional amino acid sequence alignment between the respective amino acid sequences) are encompassed herein. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide is derived from any one of the polypeptides listed from the bacterial strains above (i.e., Nostoc [N. punctifonne], Rhodosporidium [R. toruloides], Streptomyces [S. maritimus or S. verticillatus], Oscillatoria sp., Gloeocapsa sp and Rivularia sp.). In some additional embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide of the present invention comprises the conserved active site Ala167-Ser168-Gly169 and comprises at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides comprise not only PAL activity but are also active on tyrosine and/or histidine substrates.

In some embodiments, engineered PAL polypeptides are produced by cultivating a microorganism comprising at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one engineered PAL polypeptide under conditions which are conducive for producing the engineered PAL polypeptide. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide is subsequently recovered from the resulting culture medium and/or cells.

The present invention provides exemplary engineered PAL polypeptides having PAL activity. The Examples provide Tables showing sequence structural information correlating specific amino acid sequence features with the functional activity of the engineered PAL polypeptides. This structure-function correlation information is provided in the form of specific amino acid residue differences relative to the reference engineered polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4, as well as associated experimentally determined activity data for the exemplary engineered PAL polypeptides.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides of the present invention having PAL activity comprise a) an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4; b) an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 at one or more amino acid positions; and c) which exhibits an improved property selected from i) enhanced catalytic activity, ii) reduced proteolytic sensitivity, iii) increased tolerance to acidic pH, iv) reduced aggregation or a combination of any of i), ii), iii) or iv) as compared to the reference sequence.

In some embodiments the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:4, and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4, at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 20 or more amino acid positions compared to SEQ ID NO:4 or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:4). In some embodiments, the residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4, at one or more positions includes at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more conservative amino acid substitutions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide is a polypeptide listed in the Tables provided in the Examples.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:4 and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 at one or more amino acid positions are selected from X39; X54; X59; X73; X91; X158; X112, X134, X180; X195; X240; X243; X245; X256; X257; X270; X290; X304, X305; X307; X308; X326; X349; X353; X364; X394; X399; X400; X404; X407; X443; X453; X459; X460; X463; X474; X509; X521; X522; X524; X528; X546; X564; or any combination thereof, when optimally aligned with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments the amino acid difference is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, or 20 or greater amino acid positions.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85% (at least 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%) sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4 and comprise an amino acid residue difference at position H307 and optionally an amino acid residue difference at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments the amino acid residue difference at position 307 is H307/G/Q/M.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85% (at least 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%) sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4 and comprise at least one amino acid residue difference selected from a combination of one or more of A39; T54; G59, S73; A91; Y158; S180; K195; A112; R134; Q240; T243; I245; A256; L257; N270; N290; Y304; R305; H307; E308; 1326; L349; D353; L364; A394; 5399; N400; P404; L407; F443; N453; Y459; T460; T463; N474; E509; Q521; K522; T524; P528; 5546; and/or P564. In some additional embodiments, there are amino acid residue differences at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting an improved property have at least 85% (at least 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%) sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4 and comprise an amino acid residue difference selected from a combination of one or more of A39V; T54K; G59R; S73K; A112C; R134Q; A91V; Y158H; S180A; K195E; Q240R/W; T243I/L; I245L; A256G; L257W/A; N270K; N290G; Y304H; R305M; H307G/Q/M; E308Q; I326F; L349M; D353A/N; L364Q; A394V; S399N; N400K; P404A; L407V; F443H; N453G; Y459F; T460G; T463N; N474Q; E509L; Q521K/S; K522Y/F/N; T524S; P528L; S546R; and P564 G/L/M, when optimally aligned with SEQ ID NO:4.

In some embodiments, the amino acid residue difference is selected from a combination of one or more of A39V; A91V; A256G; N290G; A394V; S399N; P404A; L407V; K522Y/F/N; and/or T524S, when optimally aligned with SEQ ID NO:4.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides functional fragments of engineered PAL polypeptides. In some embodiments, functional fragments comprise at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% of the activity of the engineered PAL polypeptide from which it was derived (i.e., the parent engineered PAL). In some embodiments, functional fragments comprise at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% of the parent sequence of the engineered PAL. In some embodiments the functional fragment will be truncated by less than 5, less than 10, less than 15, less than 10, less than 25, less than 30, less than 35, less than 40, less than 45, and less than 50 amino acids.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides functional fragments of engineered PAL polypeptides. In some embodiments, functional fragments comprise at least about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% of the activity of the engineered PAL polypeptide from which it was derived (i.e., the parent engineered PAL). In some embodiments, functional fragments comprise at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% of the parent sequence of the engineered PAL. In some embodiments the functional fragment will be truncated by less than 5, less than 10, less than 15, less than 10, less than 25, less than 30, less than 35, less than 40, less than 45, less than 50, less than 55, less than 60, less than 65, or less than 70 amino acids.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property has at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:6 and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:6, at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NO:6, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:6. In some embodiments, the engineered PALs comprise at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:6 and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:6 of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:6.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:10, or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NO:10, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:10. In some embodiments, the engineered PALs comprise at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:10, and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:10, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:10.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:12 or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:12 at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NO:12, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:12. In some embodiments, the engineered PALs comprise at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:12, and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:12, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:12.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:14 or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:14 at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NO:14, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:14. In some embodiments, the engineered PALs comprise at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:14, and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:14, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:14.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:16 or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:16 at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NO:16, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:16. In some embodiments, the engineered PALs comprise at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:16, and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:16, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:16.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:18 or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:18 at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NO:18, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:18. In some embodiments, the engineered PALs comprise at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:18, and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:18, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:18.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:20 or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:20 at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NO:20, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:20. In some embodiments, the engineered PALs comprise at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:20, and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:20, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:20.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:22 or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:22 at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NO:22, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:22. In some embodiments, the engineered PALs comprise at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:22, and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:22, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:22.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides exhibiting at least one improved property have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:24 or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:24 at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NO:24, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:24. In some embodiments, the engineered PALs comprise at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:24, and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:24, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:24.

Variants with Reduced Sensitivity to Proteolysis:

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides of the present invention have PAL activity, exhibit reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, and comprise: a) an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4; an b) an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 at one or more amino acid positions.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides that exhibit reduced sensitivity to proteolysis have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:4 and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 20 or more amino acid positions compared to SEQ ID NO:4 or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:4).

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides that exhibit reduced sensitivity to proteolysis have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:4 and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4, at one or more amino acid positions are selected from X39; X54; X59; X73; X91; X158; X112, X134, X180; X195; X240; X243; X245; X256; X257; X270; X290; X304, X305; X307; X308; X326; X349; X353; X364; X394; X399; X400; X404; X407; X443; X453; X459; X460; X463; X474; X509; X521; X522; X524; X528; X546; X564; or any combination thereof, when optimally aligned with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. In some embodiments the amino acid difference is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, or 20 or greater amino acid positions.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides that exhibit reduced sensitivity to proteolysis have at least 85%, at least 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, and comprise an amino acid residue difference at position X307; X326; X460; X307; and/or X528 and optionally an amino acid residue difference at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the amino acid residue difference is selected from Y304H/W; R305L/M; H307G/M/Q; I326F; Q240W; T460G; P528L; and any of these substitutions in combination, when aligned with SEQ ID NO:4.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides that exhibit reduced sensitivity to proteolysis have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater amino acid sequence identity with any of SEQ ID NOS:10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and/or 24, or a functional fragment thereof and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NOS:10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and/or 24, at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 or more amino acid positions) compared to SEQ ID NOS:10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and/or 24, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NOS:10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and/or 24. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL comprises at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOS:10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and/or 24, and comprise an amino acid difference as compared to SEQ ID NOS:10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and/or 24, of at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments, the PAL comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and/or 24.

In some embodiments, the proteolytic sensitivity of the engineered PAL polypeptides is reduced by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95%, of that of the wild-type PAL (e.g., AvPAL having SEQ ID NO:4) or as compared to a reference PAL polypeptide under essentially the same conditions. The proteolytic activity can be measured using any suitable methods known in the art, including but not limited to those described in the Examples.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides having reduced sensitivity to proteolysis have reduced sensitivity to a composition comprising one or more proteases, including, but not limited to pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase A and B, peptidases (e.g., amino peptidase, dipeptidase and enteropeptidase) when both the reference PAL and the engineered PAL having the reduced sensitivity are compared and exposed to essentially the same amount and kind of protease under essentially the same conditions.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide having reduced sensitivity to proteolysis have enzyme activity levels that are about 1.0 fold, 2-fold, 5-fold, 10-fold, 20-fold, 25-fold, 50-fold, 75-fold, 100-fold, 150-fold, 200-fold or more of the enzymatic activity of the reference PAL (e.g., AvPAL). In some embodiments, the engineered polypeptides have more enzyme activity, as compared to a reference PAL, when activity is measured at a pH range of 4.5 to 7.5; when activity is measured at a pH range of 4.5 to 6.5; when activity is measured at a pH range of 5.0 to 7.5; when activity is measured at a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5; when activity is measured at a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5; and/or also when activity is measured at a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. In some other embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides have K_(m) values in the range of 1 μM to 5 mM.

Variants with Increased Tolerance to Acidic pH:

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides of the invention have PAL activity, are tolerant to acidic pH levels and comprise: a) an amino acid sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4, or a fragment thereof; and b) an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4, at one or more amino acid positions.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides that exhibit increased tolerance to acidic pH as compared to wild-type AvPAL and/or another reference polypeptide have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:4 and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4, at one or more amino acid positions (such as at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 20 or more amino acid positions compared to SEQ ID NO:4, or a sequence having at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:4.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides that exhibit increased tolerance to acidic pH as compared to wild-type AvPAL and/or another reference polypeptide, have at least 85%, at least 88%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or greater amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:4, and an amino acid residue difference as compared to SEQ ID NO:4, at one or more amino acid positions are selected from X39; X54; X59; X73; X91; X158; X112, X134, X180; X195; X240; X243; X245; X256; X257; X270; X290; X304, X305; X307; X308; X326; X349; X353; X364; X394; X399; X400; X404; X407; X443; X453; X459; X460; X463; X474; X509; X521; X522; X524; X528; X546; X564; or any combination thereof when optimally aligned with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments the amino acid difference is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, or 20 or greater amino acid positions.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides that exhibit increased tolerance to acidic pH as compared to wild-type AvPAL and/or another reference polypeptide have at least 85%, at least 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, and comprise an amino acid residue difference at position X39; X54; X59; X73; X91; X158; X112, X134, X180; X195; X240; X243; X245; X256; X257; X270; X290; X304, X305; X307; X308; X326; X349; X353; X364; X394; X399; X400; X404; X407; X443; X453; X459; X460; X463; X474; X509; X521; X522; X524; X528; X546; X564; or any combination thereof; and optionally an amino acid residue difference at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid positions. In some embodiments the amino acid residue difference is A39; T54; G59, S73; A91; Y158; S180; K195; A112; R134; Q240; T243; I245; A256; L257; N270; N290; Y304; R305; H307; E308; 1326; L349; D353; L364; A394; 5399; N400; P404; L407; F443; N453; Y459; T460; T463; N474; E509; Q521; K522; T524; P528; 5546; and/or P564, when aligned with SEQ ID NO:4. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides that exhibit increased tolerance to acidic pH have at least 85%, at least 88%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4, and comprise an amino acid residue difference at one or more positions A39V; T54K; G59R; S73K; A112C; R134Q; A91V; Y158H; S180A; K195E; Q240R/W; T243I/L; I245L; A256G; L257W/A; N270K; N290G; Y304H; R305M; H307G/Q/M; E308Q; I326F; L349M; D353A/N; L364Q; A394V; S399N; N400K; P404A; L407V; F443H; N453G; Y459F; T460G; T463N; N474Q; E509L; Q521K/S; K522Y/F/N; T524S; P528L; 5546R; and/or P564 G/L/M; when aligned with SEQ ID NO:4.

In some embodiments, when all other assay conditions are essentially the same, the engineered PAL polypeptides having increased tolerance to acidic pH as compared to a reference PAL polypeptide have an increased tolerance at a pH range between 1.5 to 6.5; between 1.5 and 5.0; between 2.0 to 5.5; between 3.0 and 6.8; between 3.0 and 5.5; between 4.0 and 6.5; between 4.0 and 4.5; between 4.5 and between 5.0; between 4.5 and 5.5, between 4.5 and 6.0; between 4.5 and 6.5; between 5.0 and 6.5; between 5.0 and 6.0; between 5.0 and 5.5; between 5.5 and 6.0; between 6.0 and 6.5; and/or between 6.5 and 7.0. In some embodiments, the increased tolerance to acidic pH is exhibited at a pH of about 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 and/or 6.5.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides that have increased tolerance to acidic pH also exhibit greater PAL activity as compared to a reference PAL when measure by a standard assay. Any suitable assay finds use in the present invention, including, but not limited to those provided herein.

It is further contemplated that any of the exemplary engineered polypeptides (i.e., Variant No. 1-Variant No. 1010) find use as the starting amino acid sequence for synthesizing other engineered PAL polypeptides, for example by subsequent rounds of evolution by adding new combinations of various amino acid differences from other polypeptides and other residue positions described herein. In some embodiments, additional improvements are generated by including amino acid differences at residue positions that were maintained as unchanged throughout earlier rounds of evolution. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular method for producing engineered PAL polypeptides, as any suitable method finds use, including but not limited to the methods provided herein.

Polynucleotides Encoding Engineered Polypeptides, Expression Vectors and Host Cells:

The present invention provides polynucleotides encoding the engineered PAL polypeptides described herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotides are operatively linked to one or more heterologous regulatory sequences that control gene expression to create a recombinant polynucleotide capable of expressing the polypeptide. In some embodiments, expression constructs containing at least one heterologous polynucleotide encoding the engineered PAL polypeptide(s) is introduced into appropriate host cells to express the corresponding PAL polypeptide(s).

As will be apparent to the skilled artisan, availability of a protein sequence and the knowledge of the codons corresponding to the various amino acids provide a description of all the polynucleotides capable of encoding the subject polypeptides. The degeneracy of the genetic code, where the same amino acids are encoded by alternative or synonymous codons, allows an extremely large number of nucleic acids to be made, all of which encode an engineered PAL polypeptide. Thus, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the production of each and every possible variation of PAL polynucleotides that could be made that encode the PAL polypeptides described herein by selecting combinations based on the possible codon choices, and all such variations are to be considered specifically disclosed for any polypeptide described herein, including the amino acid sequences presented in the Examples (e.g., in the various Tables).

In some embodiments, the codons are preferably optimized for utilization by the chosen host cell for protein production. For example, preferred codons used in bacteria are typically used for expression in bacteria. Consequently, codon optimized polynucleotides encoding the engineered PAL polypeptides contain preferred codons at about 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or greater than 90% of the codon positions in the full length coding region.

In some embodiments, the PAL polynucleotide encodes an engineered polypeptide having PAL activity with the properties disclosed herein, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more identity to a reference sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS:3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and/or 23, or the amino acid sequence of any variant (e.g., those provided in the Examples), and one or more residue differences as compared to the reference polynucleotide of SEQ ID NOs:3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and/or 23, or the amino acid sequence of any variant as disclosed in the Examples (for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid residue positions). In some embodiments, the reference sequence is selected from SEQ ID NOS:3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and/or 23.

In some embodiments, the PAL polynucleotide encodes an engineered polypeptide having PAL activity with the properties disclosed herein, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:4 and one or more residue differences as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 at residue positions from X39; X54; X59; X73; X91; X158; X112, X134, X180; X195; X240; X243; X245; X256; X257; X270; X290; X304, X305; X307; X308; X326; X349; X353; X364; X394; X399; X400; X404; X407; X443; X453; X459; X460; X463; X474; X509; X521; X522; X524; X528; X546; and/or X564; when optimally aligned with the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4.

In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encoding the engineered PAL polypeptides comprises a polynucleotide sequence selected from a polynucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS:3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and/or 23. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encoding an engineered PAL polypeptide has at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 93%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% nucleotide residue identity to SEQ ID NOS:2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and/or 23.

In some embodiments, the polynucleotides are capable of hybridizing under highly stringent conditions to a reference polynucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS:2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, and/or 23, or a complement thereof, or a polynucleotide sequence encoding any of the variant PAL polypeptides provided herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide capable of hybridizing under highly stringent conditions encodes a PAL polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that has one or more residue differences as compared to SEQ ID NO:4, at residue positions selected from X39; X54; X59; X73; X91; X158; X112, X134, X180; X195; X240; X243; X245; X256; X257; X270; X290; X304, X305; X307; X308; X326; X349; X353; X364; X394; X399; X400; X404; X407; X443; X453; X459; X460; X463; X474; X509; X521; X522; X524; X528; X546; and/or X564.

In some embodiments, an isolated polynucleotide encoding any of the engineered PAL polypeptides herein is manipulated in a variety of ways to facilitate expression of the PAL polypeptide. In some embodiments, the polynucleotides encoding the PAL polypeptides comprise expression vectors where one or more control sequences is present to regulate the expression of the PAL polynucleotides and/or polypeptides. Manipulation of the isolated polynucleotide prior to its insertion into a vector may be desirable or necessary depending on the expression vector utilized. Techniques for modifying polynucleotides and nucleic acid sequences utilizing recombinant DNA methods are well known in the art. In some embodiments, the control sequences include among others, promoters, leader sequences, polyadenylation sequences, propeptide sequences, signal peptide sequences, and transcription terminators. In some embodiments, suitable promoters are selected based on the host cells selection. For bacterial host cells, suitable promoters for directing transcription of the nucleic acid constructs of the present disclosure, include, but are not limited to promoters obtained from the E. coli lac operon, Streptomyces coelicolor agarase gene (dagA), Bacillus subtilis levansucrase gene (sacB), Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase gene (amyL), Bacillus stearothennophilus maltogenic amylase gene (amyM), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alpha-amylase gene (amyQ), Bacillus licheniformis penicillinase gene (penP), Bacillus subtilis xylA and xylB genes, and prokaryotic beta-lactamase gene (See e.g., Villa-Kamaroff et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 75: 3727-3731 [1978]), as well as the tac promoter (See e.g., DeBoer et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 80: 21-25 [1983]). Exemplary promoters for filamentous fungal host cells, include, but are not limited to promoters obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Rhizomucor miehei aspartic proteinase, Aspergillus niger neutral alpha-amylase, Aspergillus niger acid stable alpha-amylase, Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus awamori glucoamylase (glaA), Rhizomucor miehei lipase, Aspergillus oryzae alkaline protease, Aspergillus oryzae triose phosphate isomerase, Aspergillus nidulans acetamidase, and Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease (See e.g., WO 96/00787), as well as the NA2-tpi promoter (a hybrid of the promoters from the genes for Aspergillus niger neutral alpha-amylase and Aspergillus oryzae triose phosphate isomerase), and mutant, truncated, and hybrid promoters thereof. Exemplary yeast cell promoters can be from the genes can be from the genes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase (ENO-1), Saccharomyces cerevisiae galactokinase (GAL1), Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (ADH2/GAP), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. Other useful promoters for yeast host cells are known in the art (See e.g., Romanos et al., Yeast 8:423-488 [1992]).

In some embodiments, the control sequence is also a suitable transcription terminator sequence (i.e., a sequence recognized by a host cell to terminate transcription). In some embodiments, the terminator sequence is operably linked to the 3′ terminus of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the PAL polypeptide. Any suitable terminator which is functional in the host cell of choice finds use in the present invention. Exemplary transcription terminators for filamentous fungal host cells can be obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase, Aspergillus nidulans anthranilate synthase, Aspergillus niger alpha-glucosidase, and Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease. Exemplary terminators for yeast host cells can be obtained from the genes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cytochrome C (CYC1), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Other useful terminators for yeast host cells are known in the art (See e.g., Romanos et al., supra).

In some embodiments, the control sequence is also a suitable leader sequence (i.e., a non-translated region of an mRNA that is important for translation by the host cell). In some embodiments, the leader sequence is operably linked to the 5′ terminus of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the PAL polypeptide. Any suitable leader sequence that is functional in the host cell of choice find use in the present invention. Exemplary leaders for filamentous fungal host cells are obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, and Aspergillus nidulans triose phosphate isomerase. Suitable leaders for yeast host cells are obtained from the genes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase (ENO-1), Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-factor, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (ADH2/GAP).

In some embodiments, the control sequence is also a polyadenylation sequence (i.e., a sequence operably linked to the 3′ terminus of the nucleic acid sequence and which, when transcribed, is recognized by the host cell as a signal to add polyadenosine residues to transcribed mRNA). Any suitable polyadenylation sequence which is functional in the host cell of choice finds use in the present invention. Exemplary polyadenylation sequences for filamentous fungal host cells include, but are not limited to the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase, Aspergillus nidulans anthranilate synthase, Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease, and Aspergillus niger alpha-glucosidase. Useful polyadenylation sequences for yeast host cells are known (See e.g., Guo and Sherman, Mol. Cell. Bio., 15:5983-5990 [1995]).

In some embodiments, the control sequence is also a signal peptide (i.e., a coding region that codes for an amino acid sequence linked to the amino terminus of a polypeptide and directs the encoded polypeptide into the cell's secretory pathway). In some embodiments, the 5′ end of the coding sequence of the nucleic acid sequence inherently contains a signal peptide coding region naturally linked in translation reading frame with the segment of the coding region that encodes the secreted polypeptide. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the 5′ end of the coding sequence contains a signal peptide coding region that is foreign to the coding sequence. Any suitable signal peptide coding region which directs the expressed polypeptide into the secretory pathway of a host cell of choice finds use for expression of the engineered polypeptide(s). Effective signal peptide coding regions for bacterial host cells are the signal peptide coding regions include, but are not limited to those obtained from the genes for Bacillus NC1B 11837 maltogenic amylase, Bacillus stearothermophilus alpha-amylase, Bacillus licheniformis subtilisin, Bacillus licheniformis beta-lactamase, Bacillus stearothermophilus neutral proteases (nprT, nprS, nprM), and Bacillus subtilis prsA. Further signal peptides are known in the art (See e.g., Simonen and Palva, Microbiol. Rev., 57:109-137 [1993]). In some embodiments, effective signal peptide coding regions for filamentous fungal host cells include, but are not limited to the signal peptide coding regions obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Aspergillus niger neutral amylase, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase, Rhizomucor miehei aspartic proteinase, Humicola insolens cellulase, and Humicola lanuginosa lipase. Useful signal peptides for yeast host cells include, but are not limited to those from the genes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-factor and Saccharomyces cerevisiae invertase.

In some embodiments, the control sequence is also a propeptide coding region that codes for an amino acid sequence positioned at the amino terminus of a polypeptide. The resultant polypeptide is referred to as a “proenzyme,” “propolypeptide,” or “zymogen.” A propolypeptide can be converted to a mature active polypeptide by catalytic or autocatalytic cleavage of the propeptide from the propolypeptide. The propeptide coding region may be obtained from any suitable source, including, but not limited to the genes for Bacillus subtilis alkaline protease (aprE), Bacillus subtilis neutral protease (nprT), Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-factor, Rhizomucor miehei aspartic proteinase, and Myceliophthora thennophila lactase (See e.g., WO 95/33836). Where both signal peptide and propeptide regions are present at the amino terminus of a polypeptide, the propeptide region is positioned next to the amino terminus of a polypeptide and the signal peptide region is positioned next to the amino terminus of the propeptide region.

In some embodiments, regulatory sequences are also utilized. These sequences facilitate the regulation of the expression of the polypeptide relative to the growth of the host cell. Examples of regulatory systems are those that cause the expression of the gene to be turned on or off in response to a chemical or physical stimulus, including the presence of a regulatory compound. In prokaryotic host cells, suitable regulatory sequences include, but are not limited to the lac, tac, and trp operator systems. In yeast host cells, suitable regulatory systems include, but are not limited to the ADH2 system or GAL1 system. In filamentous fungi, suitable regulatory sequences include, but are not limited to the TAKA alpha-amylase promoter, Aspergillus niger glucoamylase promoter, and Aspergillus oryzae glucoamylase promoter.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a recombinant expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding an engineered PAL polypeptide, and one or more expression regulating regions such as a promoter and a terminator, a replication origin, etc., depending on the type of hosts into which they are to be introduced. In some embodiments, the various nucleic acid and control sequences described herein are joined together to produce recombinant expression vectors which include one or more convenient restriction sites to allow for insertion or substitution of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the PAL polypeptide at such sites. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence of the present invention is expressed by inserting the nucleic acid sequence or a nucleic acid construct comprising the sequence into an appropriate vector for expression. In some embodiments involving the creation of the expression vector, the coding sequence is located in the vector so that the coding sequence is operably linked with the appropriate control sequences for expression.

The recombinant expression vector may be any suitable vector (e.g., a plasmid or virus), that can be conveniently subjected to recombinant DNA procedures and bring about the expression of the PAL polynucleotide sequence. The choice of the vector typically depends on the compatibility of the vector with the host cell into which the vector is to be introduced. The vectors may be linear or closed circular plasmids.

In some embodiments, the expression vector is an autonomously replicating vector (i.e., a vector that exists as an extra-chromosomal entity, the replication of which is independent of chromosomal replication, such as a plasmid, an extra-chromosomal element, a minichromosome, or an artificial chromosome). The vector may contain any means for assuring self-replication. In some alternative embodiments, the vector is one in which, when introduced into the host cell, it is integrated into the genome and replicated together with the chromosome(s) into which it has been integrated. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a single vector or plasmid, or two or more vectors or plasmids which together contain the total DNA to be introduced into the genome of the host cell, and/or a transposon is utilized.

In some embodiments, the expression vector contains one or more selectable markers, which permit easy selection of transformed cells. A “selectable marker” is a gene, the product of which provides for biocide or viral resistance, resistance to heavy metals, prototrophy to auxotrophs, and the like. Examples of bacterial selectable markers include, but are not limited to the dal genes from Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus licheniformis, or markers, which confer antibiotic resistance such as ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol or tetracycline resistance. Suitable markers for yeast host cells include, but are not limited to ADE2, HIS3, LEU2, LYS2, MET3, TRP1, and URA3. Selectable markers for use in filamentous fungal host cells include, but are not limited to, amdS (acetamidase; e.g., from A. nidulans or A. orzyae), argB (ornithine carbamoyltransferases), bar (phosphinothricin acetyltransferase; e.g., from S. hygroscopicus), hph (hygromycin phosphotransferase), niaD (nitrate reductase), pyrG (orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase; e.g., from A. nidulans or A. orzyae), sC (sulfate adenyltransferase), and trpC (anthranilate synthase), as well as equivalents thereof. In another aspect, the present invention provides a host cell comprising at least one polynucleotide encoding at least one engineered PAL polypeptide of the present invention, the polynucleotide(s) being operatively linked to one or more control sequences for expression of the engineered PAL enzyme(s) in the host cell. Host cells suitable for use in expressing the polypeptides encoded by the expression vectors of the present invention are well known in the art and include but are not limited to, bacterial cells, such as E. coli, Vibrio fluvialis, Streptomyces and Salmonella typhimurium cells; fungal cells, such as yeast cells (e.g., Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Pichia pastoris (ATCC Accession No. 201178)); insect cells such as Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9 cells; animal cells such as CHO, COS, BHK, 293, and Bowes melanoma cells; and plant cells. Exemplary host cells also include various Escherichia coli strains (e.g., W3110 (AdhuA) and BL21).

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention provides methods of producing the engineered PAL polypeptides, where the methods comprise culturing a host cell capable of expressing a polynucleotide encoding the engineered PAL polypeptide under conditions suitable for expression of the polypeptide. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise the steps of isolating and/or purifying the PAL polypeptides, as described herein.

Appropriate culture media and growth conditions for host cells are well known in the art. It is contemplated that any suitable method for introducing polynucleotides for expression of the PAL polypeptides into cells will find use in the present invention. Suitable techniques include, but are not limited to electroporation, biolistic particle bombardment, liposome mediated transfection, calcium chloride transfection, and protoplast fusion.

Engineered PAL polypeptides with the properties disclosed herein can be obtained by subjecting the polynucleotide encoding the naturally occurring or engineered PAL polypeptide to any suitable mutagenesis and/or directed evolution methods known in the art, and/or as described herein. An exemplary directed evolution technique is mutagenesis and/or DNA shuffling (See e.g., Stemmer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:10747-10751 [1994]; WO 95/22625; WO 97/0078; WO 97/35966; WO 98/27230; WO 00/42651; WO 01/75767 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,746). Other directed evolution procedures that can be used include, among others, staggered extension process (StEP), in vitro recombination (See e.g., Zhao et al., Nat. Biotechnol., 16:258-261 [1998]), mutagenic PCR (See e.g., Caldwell et al., PCR Methods Appl., 3:S136-S140 [1994]), and cassette mutagenesis (See e.g., Black et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:3525-3529 [1996]).

Mutagenesis and directed evolution methods can be readily applied to PAL-encoding polynucleotides to generate variant libraries that can be expressed, screened, and assayed. Any suitable mutagenesis and directed evolution methods find use in the present invention and are well known in the art (See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,793, 5,830,721, 6,132,970, 6,420,175, 6,277,638, 6,365,408, 6,602,986, 7,288,375, 6,287,861, 6,297,053, 6,576,467, 6,444,468, 5,811238, 6,117,679, 6,165,793, 6,180,406, 6,291,242, 6,995,017, 6,395,547, 6,506,602, 6,519,065, 6,506,603, 6,413,774, 6,573,098, 6,323,030, 6,344,356, 6,372,497, 7,868,138, 5,834,252, 5,928,905, 6,489,146, 6,096,548, 6,387,702, 6,391,552, 6,358,742, 6,482,647, 6,335,160, 6,653,072, 6,355,484, 6,03,344, 6,319,713, 6,613,514, 6,455,253, 6,579,678, 6,586,182, 6,406,855, 6,946,296, 7,534,564, 7,776,598, 5,837,458, 6,391,640, 6,309,883, 7,105,297, 7,795,030, 6,326,204, 6,251,674, 6,716,631, 6,528,311, 6,287,862, 6,335,198, 6,352,859, 6,379,964, 7,148,054, 7,629,170, 7,620,500, 6,365,377, 6,358,740, 6,406,910, 6,413,745, 6,436,675, 6,961,664, 7,430,477, 7,873,499, 7,702,464, 7,783,428, 7,747,391, 7,747,393, 7,751,986, 6,376,246, 6,426,224, 6,423,542, 6,479,652, 6,319,714, 6,521,453, 6,368,861, 7,421,347, 7,058,515, 7,024,312, 7,620,502, 7,853,410, 7,957,912, 7,904,249, and all related non-US counterparts; Ling et al., Anal. Biochem., 254(2):157-78 [1997]; Dale et al., Meth. Mol. Biol., 57:369-74 [1996]; Smith, Ann. Rev. Genet., 19:423-462 [1985]; Botstein et al., Science, 229:1193-1201 [1985]; Carter, Biochem. J., 237:1-7 [1986]; Kramer et al., Cell, 38:879-887 [1984]; Wells et al., Gene, 34:315-323 [1985]; Minshull et al., Curr. Op. Chem. Biol., 3:284-290 [1999]; Christians et al., Nat. Biotechnol., 17:259-264 [1999]; Crameri et al., Nature, 391:288-291 [1998]; Crameri, et al., Nat. Biotechnol., 15:436-438 [1997]; Zhang et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 94:4504-4509 [1997]; Crameri et al., Nat. Biotechnol., 14:315-319 [1996]; Stemmer, Nature, 370:389-391 [1994]; Stemmer, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 91:10747-10751 [1994]; WO 95/22625; WO 97/0078; WO 97/35966; WO 98/27230; WO 00/42651; WO 01/75767; WO 2009/152336, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,746, all of which are incorporated herein by reference).

In some embodiments, the enzyme clones obtained following mutagenesis treatment are screened by subjecting the enzyme preparations to a defined temperature (or other assay conditions) and measuring the amount of enzyme activity remaining after heat treatments or other suitable assay conditions. Clones containing a polynucleotide encoding a PAL polypeptide are then isolated from the gene, sequenced to identify the nucleotide sequence changes (if any), and used to express the enzyme in a host cell. Measuring enzyme activity from the expression libraries can be performed using any suitable method known in the art (e.g., standard biochemistry techniques, such as HPLC analysis).

For engineered polypeptides of known sequence, the polynucleotides encoding the enzyme can be prepared by standard solid-phase methods, according to known synthetic methods. In some embodiments, fragments of up to about 100 bases can be individually synthesized, then joined (e.g., by enzymatic or chemical litigation methods, or polymerase mediated methods) to form any desired continuous sequence. For example, polynucleotides and oligonucleotides disclosed herein can be prepared by chemical synthesis using the classical phosphoramidite method (See e.g., Beaucage et al., Tet. Lett., 22:1859-69 [1981]; and Matthes et al., EMBO J., 3:801-05 [1984]), as it is typically practiced in automated synthetic methods. According to the phosphoramidite method, oligonucleotides are synthesized (e.g., in an automatic DNA synthesizer, purified, annealed, ligated and cloned in appropriate vectors).

Accordingly, in some embodiments, a method for preparing the engineered PAL polypeptide can comprise: (a) synthesizing a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the amino acid sequence of any variant as described herein, and (b) expressing the PAL polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide. In some embodiments of the method, the amino acid sequence encoded by the polynucleotide can optionally have one or several (e.g., up to 3, 4, 5, or up to 10) amino acid residue deletions, insertions and/or substitutions. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequence has optionally 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-9, 1-10, 1-15, 1-20, 1-21, 1-22, 1-23, 1-24, 1-25, 1-30, 1-35, 1-40, 1-45, or 1-50 amino acid residue deletions, insertions and/or substitutions. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequence has optionally 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 amino acid residue deletions, insertions and/or substitutions. In some embodiments, the amino acid sequence has optionally 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 amino acid residue deletions, insertions and/or substitutions. In some embodiments, the substitutions are conservative or non-conservative substitutions.

The expressed engineered PAL polypeptide can be evaluated for any desired improved property or combination of properties (e.g., activity, selectivity, stability, acid tolerance, protease sensitivity, etc.) using any suitable assay known in the art, including but not limited to the assays and conditions described herein.

In some embodiments, any of the engineered PAL polypeptides expressed in a host cell are recovered from the cells and/or the culture medium using any one or more of the well-known techniques for protein purification, including, among others, lysozyme treatment, sonication, filtration, salting-out, ultra-centrifugation, and chromatography.

Chromatographic techniques for isolation of the PAL polypeptides include, among others, reverse phase chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, hydrophobic-interaction chromatography, size-exclusion chromatography, gel electrophoresis, and affinity chromatography. Conditions for purifying a particular enzyme depends, in part, on factors such as net charge, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, molecular weight, molecular shape, etc., and will be apparent to those having skill in the art. In some embodiments, affinity techniques may be used to isolate the improved PAL enzymes. For affinity chromatography purification, any antibody that specifically binds a PAL polypeptide of interest may find use. For the production of antibodies, various host animals, including but not limited to rabbits, mice, rats, etc., are immunized by injection with a PAL polypeptide, or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the PAL polypeptide or fragment is attached to a suitable carrier, such as BSA, by means of a side chain functional group or linkers attached to a side chain functional group.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide is produced in a host cell by a method comprising culturing a host cell (e.g., an E. coli strain) comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding an engineered PAL polypeptide as described herein under conditions conducive to the production of the engineered PAL polypeptide and recovering the engineered PAL polypeptide from the cells and/or culture medium. In some embodiments, the host cell produces more than one engineered PAL polypeptide.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of producing an engineered PAL polypeptide comprising culturing a recombinant bacterial cell comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding an engineered PAL polypeptide having at least 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to reference sequences SEQ ID NO:4, and one or more amino acid residue differences as compared to SEQ ID NO:4 selected from X39; X91; X158; X180; X195; X243; X245; X256; X257; X270; X290; X307; X308; X326; X349; X364; X394; X399; X400; X404; X407; X443; X453; X459; X460; X463; X474; X522; X524; and X528, or combinations thereof, when optimally aligned with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 under suitable culture conditions to allow the production of the engineered PAL polypeptide and optionally recovering the engineered PAL polypeptide from the culture and/or cultured bacterial cells. In some embodiments, the host cell produces more than one engineered PAL polypeptide.

In some embodiments, once the engineered PAL polypeptides are recovered from the recombinant host cells and/or culture medium, they are further purified by any suitable method(s) known in the art. In some additional embodiments, the purified TAL polypeptides are combined with other ingredients and compounds to provide compositions and formulations comprising the engineered PAL polypeptide as appropriate for different applications and uses (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions).

Compositions:

The present invention provides engineered PAL polypeptides suitable for use in numerous compositions. These compositions find use in many fields, including but not limited to pharmaceuticals, dietary/nutritional supplements, food, feed, and fine chemical production. For example, in some embodiments, the present invention provides food and/or feeds comprising at least one engineered PAL variant and/or at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one PAL variant. In some embodiments, the present invention provides beverages comprising at least one engineered PAL variant.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL variant in food, feed, and/or nutritional/dietary supplement is glycosylated. Furthermore, the engineered PAL variants find use in any suitable edible enzyme delivery matrix. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL variants are present in an edible enzyme delivery matrix designed for rapid dispersal of the PAL variant within the digestive tract of an animal upon ingestion of the variant.

The present invention also provides engineered PAL polypeptides suitable for use in production of fine chemicals and other industrially important compounds (See e.g., US Pat. Appln. Nos. 2013/0340119, 2013/0005012, and 2005/0260724, and WO 2012/122333).

Pharmaceutical and Other Compositions

The present invention provides engineered PAL polypeptides suitable for use in pharmaceutical and other compositions, such as dietary/nutritional supplements.

Depending on the mode of administration, a these compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an engineered PAL according to the invention are in the form of a solid, semi-solid, or liquid. In some embodiments, the compositions include other pharmaceutically acceptable components such as diluents, buffers, excipients, salts, emulsifiers, preservatives, stabilizers, fillers, and other ingredients. Details on techniques for formulation and administration are well known in the art and described in the literature.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are formulated for use in oral pharmaceutical compositions. Any suitable format for use in delivering the engineered PAL polypeptides find use in the present invention, including but not limited to pills, tablets, gel tabs, capsules, lozenges, dragees, powders, soft gels, sol-gels, gels, emulsions, implants, patches, sprays, ointments, liniments, creams, pastes, jellies, paints, aerosols, chewing gums, demulcents, sticks, suspensions (including but not limited to oil-based suspensions, oil-in water emulsions, etc.), slurries, syrups, controlled release formulations, suppositories, etc. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are provided in a format suitable for injection (i.e., in an injectable formulation). In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are provided in biocompatible matrices such as sol-gels, including silica-based (e.g., oxysilane) sol-gels. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are encapsulated. In some alternative embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are encapsulated in nanostructures (e.g., nanotubes, nanotubules, nanocapsules, or microcapsules, microspheres, liposomes, etc.). Indeed, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular delivery formulation and/or means of delivery. It is intended that the engineered PAL polypeptides be administered by any suitable means known in the art, including but not limited to parenteral, oral, topical, transdermal, intranasal, intraocular, intrathecal, via implants, etc.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are chemically modified by glycosylation, pegylation (i.e., modified with polyethylene glycol [PEG] or activated PEG, etc.) or other compounds (See e.g., Ikeda, Amino Acids 29:283-287 [2005]; U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,531,341, 7,534,595, 7,560,263, and 7,53,653; US Pat. Appln. Publ. Nos. 2013/0039898, 2012/0177722, etc.). Indeed, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to any particular delivery method and/or mechanism.

In some additional embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are provided in formulations comprising matrix-stabilized enzyme crystals. In some embodiments, the formulation comprises a cross-linked crystalline engineered PAL enzyme and a polymer with a reactive moiety that adheres to the enzyme crystals. The present invention also provides engineered PAL polypeptides in polymers.

In some embodiments, compositions comprising the engineered PAL polypeptides of the present invention include one or more commonly used carrier compounds, including but not limited to sugars (e.g., lactose, sucrose, mannitol, and/or sorbitol), starches (e.g., corn, wheat, rice, potato, or other plant starch), cellulose (e.g., methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, sodium carboxy-methylcellulose), gums (e.g., arabic, tragacanth, guar, etc.), and/or proteins (e.g., gelatin, collagen, etc.). Additional components in oral formulations may include coloring and or sweetening agents (e.g., glucose, sucrose, and mannitol) and lubricating agents (e.g., magnesium stearate), as well as enteric coatings (e.g., methacrylate polymers, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose phthalate, and/or any other suitable enteric coating known in the art). In some embodiments, disintegrating or solubilizing agents are included (e.g., cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, alginic acid or salts thereof, such as sodium alginate). In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide are combined with various additional components, including but not limited to preservatives, suspending agents, thickening agents, wetting agents, alcohols, fatty acids, and/or emulsifiers, particularly in liquid formulations.

In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptide are be combined with various additional components, including but not limited to preservatives, suspending agents, thickening agents, wetting agents, alcohols, fatty acids, and/or emulsifiers, particularly in liquid formulations. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are administered to subjects in combination with other compounds used in the treatment of PKU, including but not limited to KUVAN® tetrahydrobiopterin (BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc., Novato, Calif.), antacids (e.g., omeprazole, esomeprazole and other prazoles), as well as any other suitable compounds.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides engineered PAL polypeptides suitable for use in decreasing the concentration of phenylalanine in fluids such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, etc. The dosage of engineered PAL polypeptide(s) administered to an animal depend upon the condition or disease, the general condition of the animal, and other factors known to those in the art. In some embodiments, the compositions are intended for single or multiple administration to an animal. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the concentration of engineered PAL polypeptide(s) in the composition(s) administered to an animal (e.g., a human with PKU) is sufficient to effectively treat, ameliorate and/or prevent disease (e.g., PKU and/or PKU-related conditions, diseases and/or symptoms), In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are administered in combination with other pharmaceutical and/or dietary compositions.

Industrial Compositions

It is contemplated that the engineered PAL polypeptides of the present invention will find use in industrial compositions. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are formulated for use in the food and/or feed industries. In some embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are formulated in granulated or pelleted products which are mixed with animal feed components such as additional enzymes (for example, cellulases, laccases, and amylases). In some alternative embodiments, the engineered PAL polypeptides are used in liquid animal feed compositions (e.g., aqueous or oil based slurries). Thus, in some embodiments, the engineered PAL variants of the present invention are sufficiently thermotolerant and thermostable to withstand the treatment used to produce pellets and other processed feed/foods.

The engineered PAL variants of the present invention also find use in the production of phenylalanine and/or phenylalanine derivatives.

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention may be better understood in connection with the following non-limiting examples. The examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

EXPERIMENTAL

The following examples, including experiments and results achieved, are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

In the experimental disclosure below, the following abbreviations apply: ppm (parts per million); M (molar); mM (millimolar), uM and μM (micromolar); nM (nanomolar); mol (moles); gm and g (gram); mg (milligrams); ug and μg (micrograms); L and 1 (liter); ml and mL (milliliter); cm (centimeters); mm (millimeters); um and μm (micrometers); sec. (seconds); min(s) (minute(s)); h(s) and hr(s) (hour(s)); U (units); MW (molecular weight); rpm (rotations per minute); psi and PSI (pounds per square inch); ° C. (degrees Centigrade); RT and rt (room temperature); CDS (coding sequence); DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid); RNA (ribonucleic acid); E. coli W3110 (commonly used laboratory E. coli strain, available from the Coli Genetic Stock Center [CGSC], New Haven, Conn.); HTP (high throughput); HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography); CFSE (carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester); IPTG (isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside); PES (polyethersulfone); PHE and phe (phenylalanine); BSA (bovine serum albumin); PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cells); PKU (phenylketonuria); MHC (major histocompatibility complex); HLA (human leukocyte antigen); HLA-DR (an MHC Class II cell surface receptor encoded by the HLA complex on chromosome #6); FIOPC (fold improvements over positive control); LB (Luria broth); Athens Research (Athens Research Technology, Athens, Ga.); ProSpec (ProSpec Tany Technogene, East Brunswick, N.J.); Sigma-Aldrich (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.); Ram Scientific (Ram Scientific, Inc., Yonkers, N.Y.); Pall Corp. (Pall, Corp., Pt. Washington, N.Y.); Millipore (Millipore, Corp., Billerica Mass.); Difco (Difco Laboratories, BD Diagnostic Systems, Detroit, Mich.); Molecular Devices (Molecular Devices, LLC, Sunnyvale, Calif.); Kuhner (Adolf Kuhner, AG, Basel, Switzerland); Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, (Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc., Tewksbury, Mass.); Applied Biosystems (Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies, Corp., Grand Island, N.Y.), Agilent (Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif.); Thermo Scientific (part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Mass.); Corning (Corning, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif.); Constant Systems (Constant Systems Ltd., Daventry, United Kingdom); Megazyme (Megazyme International, Wicklow, Ireland); Enzo (Enzo Life Sciences, Inc., Farmingdale, N.Y.); GE Healthcare (GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences, Piscataway, N.J.); Harlan (Harlan Laboratories, Indianapolis, Ind.); AB Sciex (AB Sciex, Framingham, Mass.); and Bio-Rad (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.).

The following polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences find use in the present invention. In some cases (as shown below), the polynucleotide sequence is followed by the encoded polypeptide.

Polynucleotide Sequence of pET16b-AvPAL Expression Vector (SEQ ID NO: 1): (SEQ ID NO: 1) TCTCATGTTTGACAGCTTATCATCGATAAGCTTTAATGCGGTAGTTTATCACAGTTAAATT GCTAACGCAGTCAGGCACCGTGTATGAAATCTAACAATGCGCTCATCGTCATCCTCGGCA CCGTCACCCTGGATGCTGTAGGCATAGGCTTGGTTATGCCGGTACTGCCGGGCCTCTTGC GGGATATCCGGATATAGTTCCTCCTTTCAGCAAAAAACCCCTCAAGACCCGTTTAGAGGC CCCAAGGGGTTATGCTAGTTATTGCTCAGCGGTGGCAGCAGCCAACTCAGCTTCCTTTCG GGCTTTGTTAGCAGCCGGATCCTTAATGCAGACACGGCAGAATGTCCTGAACGGCCTGA ACAATAACACCACCGGCTGCAATATCTGCACTAATACGTGCAATATGTTCATCCAGACCC TGTTCATTATCATTCCAAATATACGGACGATCTGAGGTCGGTTTCTGACCAACAACATGA CGAACTGCGCTATACAGACGTTCGGTTGCCGGTGACAGACAGGCACGTGCATCATAATG ACCGGTTTTTTTGTAGGTACGCAGATCAACTGCCTGAACACCAAACATCAGGGCAATGGC AACATAATTCTGAAAAATATCAACGCTACGACGTGCCAGGGTTGCGCTGGTATAACCCTG GCTGTTAATATTCTGGTTAAACTGTTCGGCATGGGTCGGAAAACGATCTGCAATACTATT ACCATAAAAGGTCAGCAGCGGCATAATGCTATTACCGCAAATCTGCAGACCTTTCAGAC CCATATTAACTTTACGTTCACGATTACCCAGCAGACTCGGAGGCAGACCATTGCTAAATT CCGGTGATGCCAGCAGTGCAATCTGAACATCCAGATGTTTTGCCAGCAGACCGATATAAT AGCGCAGATGATCCATACCCATACCAACATACTGACCCAGAAAATTACCACCATGATAG CTTGCCTGATTATCAACATCAATCAGCGGGTTATCGGTAACGCTGTTAATCTCAATTTCG ATTTGTTTGGCAATCTGGCTAATACCATCAACAATCGGACCCAGATACTGCGGCAGACAA CGCAGGCTATAACGATCCTGGATCAGTTCATGATCACGATAATCATGTTTACCATCCAGT TCATCACGAACCAGCTGGCTATTGGCCAGCAGGCTAATCATCTGATCTGCTGCCCACAGC TGACCCGGATGCGGTTTGCTGTTATGGATAAACGGATGAAAGCTCTGATTTGTACCATTC AGTGCCTGAATATCCAGTGCATGAACACCCATTGCAATTGCGGTCAGAATCTGGGTATCA TAAACACAATTTGCTGCAATACCGGTCATAACGCTGGTGCCATTCATCATTGCCAGACCT TCTTTCGGCAGCAGGGTCAGCGGACTCAGATTCAGCTGACGCAGTGCGGTCGGTGCGTCC ATTTCTTTGCCATTAAAATCAACTTTAAAGCTCGGGTCCAGGCCAATCAGGCTACCGGTA ATATAGCTCAGCGGAACCAGATCACCGCTGGCACCAATGCTACCAAATTCATAAACATA CGGGGTAACACCGGCATTCAGAAAGATTTCCATGCGTTTAATCAGTTCCAGACGAATACC GCTTGCACCACGCATGTGGCTATTTGCACGCAGCAGCATTGCTGCACGAACATCTGCCAG CGGCAGTTTATTACCTGCACCGGTTTTCAGAAACCAAACCAGATTGGTCTGCAGTTCGCT TGCCTGTTCACGGCTAATTGCAACATTTGCCATACCACCAAAACCGCTGGTAACACCATA AATCGGTTCACCGCTTTCAACTGCATTATTGATATAATCACAGCTGGCCTGAATACCCTG CAGAATATCGGTATTATTGGTCAGGCTAACCAGGGTGCCATTACGGGCAACACGTGCAA CATCATTGATGGTCAGTTTCTGATTACCAATAATCACATTTGCGCTGCTATTGCCGGTAAA GCTAAACTGCTGGCTGCTGGTTTTGCTCTGTGCCTGGCTCAGGGTTTTCATATGACGACCT TCGATATGGCCGCTGCTGTGATGATGATGATGATGATGATGATGATGGCCCATGGTATAT CTCCTTCTTAAAGTTAAACAAAATTATTTCTAGAGGGGAATTGTTATCCGCTCACAATTCC CCTATAGTGAGTCGTATTAATTTCGCGGGATCGAGATCTCGATCCTCTACGCCGGACGCA TCGTGGCCGGCATCACCGGCGCCACAGGTGCGGTTGCTGGCGCCTATATCGCCGACATCA CCGATGGGGAAGATCGGGCTCGCCACTTCGGGCTCATGAGCGCTTGTTTCGGCGTGGGTA TGGTGGCAGGCCCCGTGGCCGGGGGACTGTTGGGCGCCATCTCCTTGCATGCACCATTCC TTGCGGCGGCGGTGCTCAACGGCCTCAACCTACTACTGGGCTGCTTCCTAATGCAGGAGT CGCATAAGGGAGAGCGTCGAGATCCCGGACACCATCGAATGGCGCAAAACCTTTCGCGG TATGGCATGATAGCGCCCGGAAGAGAGTCAATTCAGGGTGGTGAATGTGAAACCAGTAA CGTTATACGATGTCGCAGAGTATGCCGGTGTCTCTTATCAGACCGTTTCCCGCGTGGTGA ACCAGGCCAGCCACGTTTCTGCGAAAACGCGGGAAAAAGTGGAAGCGGCGATGGCGGA GCTGAATTACATTCCCAACCGCGTGGCACAACAACTGGCGGGCAAACAGTCGTTGCTGA TTGGCGTTGCCACCTCCAGTCTGGCCCTGCACGCGCCGTCGCAAATTGTCGCGGCGATTA AATCTCGCGCCGATCAACTGGGTGCCAGCGTGGTGGTGTCGATGGTAGAACGAAGCGGC GTCGAAGCCTGTAAAGCGGCGGTGCACAATCTTCTCGCGCAACGCGTCAGTGGGCTGAT CATTAACTATCCGCTGGATGACCAGGATGCCATTGCTGTGGAAGCTGCCTGCACTAATGT TCCGGCGTTATTTCTTGATGTCTCTGACCAGACACCCATCAACAGTATTATTTTCTCCCAT GAAGACGGTACGCGACTGGGCGTGGAGCATCTGGTCGCATTGGGTCACCAGCAAATCGC GCTGTTAGCGGGCCCATTAAGTTCTGTCTCGGCGCGTCTGCGTCTGGCTGGCTGGCATAA ATATCTCACTCGCAATCAAATTCAGCCGATAGCGGAACGGGAAGGCGACTGGAGTGCCA TGTCCGGTTTTCAACAAACCATGCAAATGCTGAATGAGGGCATCGTTCCCACTGCGATGC TGGTTGCCAACGATCAGATGGCGCTGGGCGCAATGCGCGCCATTACCGAGTCCGGGCTG CGCGTTGGTGCGGATATCTCGGTAGTGGGATACGACGATACCGAAGACAGCTCATGTTAT ATCCCGCCGTTAACCACCATCAAACAGGATTTTCGCCTGCTGGGGCAAACCAGCGTGGAC CGCTTGCTGCAACTCTCTCAGGGCCAGGCGGTGAAGGGCAATCAGCTGTTGCCCGTCTCA CTGGTGAAAAGAAAAACCACCCTGGCGCCCAATACGCAAACCGCCTCTCCCCGCGCGTT GGCCGATTCATTAATGCAGCTGGCACGACAGGTTTCCCGACTGGAAAGCGGGCAGTGAG CGCAACGCAATTAATGTAAGTTAGCTCACTCATTAGGCACCGGGATCTCGACCGATGCCC TTGAGAGCCTTCAACCCAGTCAGCTCCTTCCGGTGGGCGCGGGGCATGACTATCGTCGCC GCACTTATGACTGTCTTCTTTATCATGCAACTCGTAGGACAGGTGCCGGCAGCGCTCTGG GTCATTTTCGGCGAGGACCGCTTTCGCTGGAGCGCGACGATGATCGGCCTGTCGCTTGCG GTATTCGGAATCTTGCACGCCCTCGCTCAAGCCTTCGTCACTGGTCCCGCCACCAAACGT TTCGGCGAGAAGCAGGCCATTATCGCCGGCATGGCGGCCGACGCGCTGGGCTACGTCTT GCTGGCGTTCGCGACGCGAGGCTGGATGGCCTTCCCCATTATGATTCTTCTCGCTTCCGG CGGCATCGGGATGCCCGCGTTGCAGGCCATGCTGTCCAGGCAGGTAGATGACGACCATC AGGGACAGCTTCAAGGATCGCTCGCGGCTCTTACCAGCCTAACTTCGATCACTGGACCGC TGATCGTCACGGCGATTTATGCCGCCTCGGCGAGCACATGGAACGGGTTGGCATGGATTG TAGGCGCCGCCCTATACCTTGTCTGCCTCCCCGCGTTGCGTCGCGGTGCATGGAGCCGGG CCACCTCGACCTGAATGGAAGCCGGCGGCACCTCGCTAACGGATTCACCACTCCAAGAA TTGGAGCCAATCAATTCTTGCGGAGAACTGTGAATGCGCAAACCAACCCTTGGCAGAAC ATATCCATCGCGTCCGCCATCTCCAGCAGCCGCACGCGGCGCATCTCGGGCAGCGTTGGG TCCTGGCCACGGGTGCGCATGATCGTGCTCCTGTCGTTGAGGACCCGGCTAGGCTGGCGG GGTTGCCTTACTGGTTAGCAGAATGAATCACCGATACGCGAGCGAACGTGAAGCGACTG CTGCTGCAAAACGTCTGCGACCTGAGCAACAACATGAATGGTCTTCGGTTTCCGTGTTTC GTAAAGTCTGGAAACGCGGAAGTCAGCGCCCTGCACCATTATGTTCCGGATCTGCATCGC AGGATGCTGCTGGCTACCCTGTGGAACACCTACATCTGTATTAACGAAGCGCTGGCATTG ACCCTGAGTGATTTTTCTCTGGTCCCGCCGCATCCATACCGCCAGTTGTTTACCCTCACAA CGTTCCAGTAACCGGGCATGTTCATCATCAGTAACCCGTATCGTGAGCATCCTCTCTCGTT TCATCGGTATCATTACCCCCATGAACAGAAATCCCCCTTACACGGAGGCATCAGTGACCA AACAGGAAAAAACCGCCCTTAACATGGCCCGCTTTATCAGAAGCCAGACATTAACGCTT CTGGAGAAACTCAACGAGCTGGACGCGGATGAACAGGCAGACATCTGTGAATCGCTTCA CGACCACGCTGATGAGCTTTACCGCAGCTGCCTCGCGCGTTTCGGTGATGACGGTGAAAA CCTCTGACACATGCAGCTCCCGGAGACGGTCACAGCTTGTCTGTAAGCGGATGCCGGGA GCAGACAAGCCCGTCAGGGCGCGTCAGCGGGTGTTGGCGGGTGTCGGGGCGCAGCCATG ACCCAGTCACGTAGCGATAGCGGAGTGTATACTGGCTTAACTATGCGGCATCAGAGCAG ATTGTACTGAGAGTGCACCATATATGCGGTGTGAAATACCGCACAGATGCGTAAGGAGA AAATACCGCATCAGGCGCTCTTCCGCTTCCTCGCTCACTGACTCGCTGCGCTCGGTCGTTC GGCTGCGGCGAGCGGTATCAGCTCACTCAAAGGCGGTAATACGGTTATCCACAGAATCA GGGGATAACGCAGGAAAGAACATGTGAGCAAAAGGCCAGCAAAAGGCCAGGAACCGTA AAAAGGCCGCGTTGCTGGCGTTTTTCCATAGGCTCCGCCCCCCTGACGAGCATCACAAAA ATCGACGCTCAAGTCAGAGGTGGCGAAACCCGACAGGACTATAAAGATACCAGGCGTTT CCCCCTGGAAGCTCCCTCGTGCGCTCTCCTGTTCCGACCCTGCCGCTTACCGGATACCTGT CCGCCTTTCTCCCTTCGGGAAGCGTGGCGCTTTCTCATAGCTCACGCTGTAGGTATCTCAG TTCGGTGTAGGTCGTTCGCTCCAAGCTGGGCTGTGTGCACGAACCCCCCGTTCAGCCCGA CCGCTGCGCCTTATCCGGTAACTATCGTCTTGAGTCCAACCCGGTAAGACACGACTTATC GCCACTGGCAGCAGCCACTGGTAACAGGATTAGCAGAGCGAGGTATGTAGGCGGTGCTA CAGAGTTCTTGAAGTGGTGGCCTAACTACGGCTACACTAGAAGGACAGTATTTGGTATCT GCGCTCTGCTGAAGCCAGTTACCTTCGGAAAAAGAGTTGGTAGCTCTTGATCCGGCAAAC AAACCACCGCTGGTAGCGGTGGTTTTTTTGTTTGCAAGCAGCAGATTACGCGCAGAAAAA AAGGATCTCAAGAAGATCCTTTGATCTTTTCTACGGGGTCTGACGCTCAGTGGAACGAAA ACTCACGTTAAGGGATTTTGGTCATGAGATTATCAAAAAGGATCTTCACCTAGATCCTTT TAAATTAAAAATGAAGTTTTAAATCAATCTAAAGTATATATGAGTAAACTTGGTCTGACA GTTACCAATGCTTAATCAGTGAGGCACCTATCTCAGCGATCTGTCTATTTCGTTCATCCAT AGTTGCCTGACTCCCCGTCGTGTAGATAACTACGATACGGGAGGGCTTACCATCTGGCCC CAGTGCTGCAATGATACCGCGAGACCCACGCTCACCGGCTCCAGATTTATCAGCAATAA ACCAGCCAGCCGGAAGGGCCGAGCGCAGAAGTGGTCCTGCAACTTTATCCGCCTCCATC CAGTCTATTAATTGTTGCCGGGAAGCTAGAGTAAGTAGTTCGCCAGTTAATAGTTTGCGC AACGTTGTTGCCATTGCTGCAGGCATCGTGGTGTCACGCTCGTCGTTTGGTATGGCTTCAT TCAGCTCCGGTTCCCAACGATCAAGGCGAGTTACATGATCCCCCATGTTGTGCAAAAAAG CGGTTAGCTCCTTCGGTCCTCCGATCGTTGTCAGAAGTAAGTTGGCCGCAGTGTTATCAC TCATGGTTATGGCAGCACTGCATAATTCTCTTACTGTCATGCCATCCGTAAGATGCTTTTC TGTGACTGGTGAGTACTCAACCAAGTCATTCTGAGAATAGTGTATGCGGCGACCGAGTTG CTCTTGCCCGGCGTCAACACGGGATAATACCGCGCCACATAGCAGAACTTTAAAAGTGCT CATCATTGGAAAACGTTCTTCGGGGCGAAAACTCTCAAGGATCTTACCGCTGTTGAGATC CAGTTCGATGTAACCCACTCGTGCACCCAACTGATCTTCAGCATCTTTTACTTTCACCAGC GTTTCTGGGTGAGCAAAAACAGGAAGGCAAAATGCCGCAAAAAAGGGAATAAGGGCGA CACGGAAATGTTGAATACTCATACTCTTCCTTTTTCAATATTATTGAAGCATTTATCAGGG TTATTGTCTCATGAGCGGATACATATTTGAATGTATTTAGAAAAATAAACAAATAGGGGT TCCGCGCACATTTCCCCGAAAAGTGCCACCTGACGTCTAAGAAACCATTATTATCATGAC ATTAACCTATAAAAATAGGCGTATCACGAGGCCCTTTCGTCTTCAAGAAT  Polynucleotide Sequence of the AvPAL ORF (SEQ ID NO: 2): (SEQ ID NO: 2) ATGAAAACCCTGAGCCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGG CAATAGCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGCAC GTGTTGCCCGTAATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTA TTCAGGCCAGCTGTGATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTG TTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTATGGCAAATGTTGCAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAA CTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTGAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCA GATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAAATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGTATT CGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCATGGAAATCTTTCTGAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTT TATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCCGCTGAGCTATATTACCGGT AGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCAAAGAAATGGACGC ACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAAAGAAGGTCT GGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTATGATAC CCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGG TACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTG GGCAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCAATAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGG ATGGTAAACATGATTATCGTGATCATGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTC TGCCGCAGTATCTGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAA TTGAGATTAACAGCGTTACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATC ATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTATGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATAT CGGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTCAGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAG CAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGCTGGGTAATCGTGAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAA AGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCTGACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTAT TGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATATTAACAGCCAGGGTTA TACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTTTTCAGAATTATGTTGCCATTGC CCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCATTATGA TGCACGTGCCTGTCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTGT TGGTCAGAAACCGACCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGG ATGAACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCG TTCAGGACATTCTGCCGTGTCTGCAT Polynucleotide Sequence of WT AvPAL (SEQ ID NO: 3): (SEQ ID NO: 3) ATGAAAACCCTGAGCCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGG CAATAGCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGCAC GTGTTGCCCGTAATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTA TTCAGGCCAGCTGTGATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTG TTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTATGGCAAATGTTGCAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAA CTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTGAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCA GATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAAATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGTATT CGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCATGGAAATCTTTCTGAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTT TATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCCGCTGAGCTATATTACCGGT AGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCAAAGAAATGGACGC ACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAAAGAAGGTCT GGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTATGATAC CCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGG TACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTG GGCAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCAATAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGG ATGGTAAACATGATTATCGTGATCATGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTC TGCCGCAGTATCTGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAA TTGAGATTAACAGCGTTACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATC ATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTATGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATAT CGGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTCAGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAG CAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGCTGGGTAATCGTGAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAA AGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCTGACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTAT TGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATATTAACAGCCAGGGTTA TACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTTTTCAGAATTATGTTGCCATTGC CCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCATTATGA TGCACGTGCCTGTCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTGT TGGTCAGAAACCGACCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGG ATGAACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCG TTCAGGACATTCTGCCGTGTCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of WT AvPAL (SEQ ID NO: 4): (SEQ ID NO: 4) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVARVARNGTLVSLTNNTDILQGIQAS CDYINNAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVAISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVRAA MLLRANSHMRGASGIRLELIKRMEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDPSF KVDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAMGV HALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLANSQLVRDELDGKHDYRDHELIQ DRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGMDH LRYYIGLLAKHLDVQIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLLGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFYGN SIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIFQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGHYD ARACLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGQKPTSDRPYIWNDNEQGLDEHIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDI LPCLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 30 (SEQ ID NO: 5): (SEQ ID NO: 5) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGG CAATAGCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGTACG TGTTGCCCGTAATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTAT TCAGGCCAGCTGTGATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTGT TACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTATGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAACT GCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTGAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAG ATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAAATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGTATTC GTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCATGGAAATCTTTCTGAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTT ATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCCGCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTA GCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCAAAGAAATGGACGCAC CGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAAAGAAGGTCTG GCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTATGATACC CAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGGACTGAATGGT ACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTGG GCAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCGGTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGGA TGGTAAACATGATTATCGTGATCATGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCT GCCGCAGTATCTGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAAT TGAGATTAACAGCGTTACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATCA TGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTATGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATATC GGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTCAGATTGCACTGCTGGTATCACCGGAATTTAAC AATGGTCTGCCTGCGAGTCTGGTGGGTAATCGTGAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAA GGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCTGACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATT GCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATATTAACAGCCAGGGTTAT ACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTTTTCAGAATTATGTTGCCATTGCC CTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCATTATGAT GCACGTGCCTGTCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTGTT GGTCAGTATCCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGGAT GAACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCGTT CAGGACATTCTGCCGTGTCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 30 (SEQ ID NO: 6): (SEQ ID NO: 6) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVVRVARNGTLVSLTNNTDILQGIQAS CDYINNAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVRAA MLLRANSHMRGASGIRLELIKRMEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDPSF KVDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAMGV HALDIQGLNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYRDHELIQ DRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGMDH LRYYIGLLAKHLDVQIALLVSPEFNNGLPASLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFYG NSIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIFQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGHY DARACLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGQYPSSDRPYIWNDNEQGLDEHIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQ DILPCLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 22 (SEQ ID NO: 7): (SEQ ID NO: 7) ATGAAAACCCTGAGCCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGG CAATAGCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGCAC GTGTTGCCCGTAATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTA TTCAGGCCAGCTGTGATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTG TTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTATGGCAAATGTTGCAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAA CTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTGAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCA GATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAAATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGTATT CGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCATGGAAATCTTTCTGAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTT TATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCCGCTGAGCTATATTACCGGT AGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCAAAGAAATGGACGC ACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAAAGAAGGTCT GGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTATGATAC CCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGG TACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTG GGCAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCAATAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGG ATGGTAAACATGATTATCGTGATGGTGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTC TGCCGCAGTATCTGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAA TTGAGATTAACAGCGTTACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATC ATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTATGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATAT CGGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTCAGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAG CAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGCTGGGTAATCGTGAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAA AGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCTGACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTAT TGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATATTAACAGCCAGGGTTA TACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTTTTCAGAATTATGTTGCCATTGC CCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCATTATGA TGCACGTGCCTGTCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTGT TGGTCAGAAACCGACCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGG ATGAACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCG TTCAGGACATTCTGCCGTGTCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 22 (SEQ ID NO: 8): (SEQ ID NO: 8) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVARVARNGTLVSLTNNTDILQGIQAS CDYINNAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVAISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVRAA MLLRANSHMRGASGIRLELIKRMEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDPSF KVDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAMGV HALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLANSQLVRDELDGKHDYRDGELIQ DRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGMDH LRYYIGLLAKHLDVQIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLLGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFYGN SIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIFQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGHYD ARACLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGQKPTSDRPYIWNDNEQGLDEHIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDI LPCLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 36 (SEQ ID NO: 9): (SEQ ID NO: 9) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGG CAATAGCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGTACG TGTTGCCCGTAATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTAT TCAGGCCAGCTGTGATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTGT TACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTATGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAACT GCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTGAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAG ATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAAATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGTATTC GTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCATGGAAATCTTTCTGAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTT ATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCCGCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTA GCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCAAAGAAATGGACGCAC CGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAAAGAAGGTCTG GCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTATGATACC CAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGGT ACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTGG GCAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCGGTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGGA TGGTAAACATGATTATCGTGATGGTGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCT GCCGCAGTATCTGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAAT TGAGATTAACAGCGTTACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATCA TGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTATGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATATC GGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTCAGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAGC AATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGGTGGGTAATCGTGAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAA GGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCTGACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATT GCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATATTAACAGCCAGGGTTAT ACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTTTTCAGAATTATGTTGCCATTGCC CTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCATTATGAT GCACGTGCCTGTCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTGTT GGTCAGAAACCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGGA TGAACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCGT TCAGGACATTCTGCCGTGTCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 36 (SEQ ID NO: 10): (SEQ ID NO: 10) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVVRVARNGTLVSLTNNTDILQGIQAS CDYINNAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVRAA MLLRANSHMRGASGIRLELIKRMEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDPSF KVDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAMGV HALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYRDGELIQ DRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGMDH LRYYIGLLAKHLDVQIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFYGN SIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIFQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGHYD ARACLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGQKPSSDRPYIVVNDNEQGLDEHIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDI LPCLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 42 (SEQ ID NO: 11): (SEQ ID NO: 11) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGGC AATAGCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGTACGT GTTGCCCGTAATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATAAAGATATTCTGCAGCGTATTCAGGC CAGCTGTGATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAAAGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTGTTACCAGCGGTT TTGGTGGTATGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAACTGCAGACCAATCTGGT TTGGTTTCTGAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAGATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGC TGCGTGCAAATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGTATTCGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCATGGA AATCTTTCTGAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTTATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTG ATCTGGTTCCGCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTAGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGAT TTTAATGGCAAAGAAATGGACGCACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCC TGCTGCCGAAAGAAGGTCTGGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAA TTGTGTTTATGATACCCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGG CACTGAATGGTACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAG CTGTGGGCAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCGGTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGG ATGGTAAACATGATTATATGGATGGTGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCTGCCG CAGTATCTGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAATTGAGATTAA CAGCGTTACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATCATGGTGGTAATTTTC TGGGTCAGTATGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATATCGGTCTGCTGGCAAAACAT CTGGATGTTCAGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAGCAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGGT GGGTAATCGTGAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAAGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATT ATGCCGCTGCTGACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATTGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTT TAACCAGAATATTAACAGCCAGGGTTATACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTT TTCAGAATTATGTTGCCATTGCCCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAA AAAACCGGTCATTATGATGCACGTGCCCAGCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAG TTCGTCATGTTGTTGGTAAAAAACCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAG GGTCTGGATGAACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCA GGCCGTTCAGGACATTCTGCCGCCGCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 42 (SEQ ID NO: 12): (SEQ ID NO: 12) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVVRVARNGTLVSLTNNKDILQRIQASCDYIN NAVEKGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVRAAMLLRANSHM RGASGIRLELIKRMEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDPSFKVDFNGKEMDAPTA LRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAMGVHALDIQALNGTNQFHPFIH NSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYMDGELIQDRYSLRCLP QYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGMDHLRYYIGLLAKHLDV QIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFYGNSIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQ GYTSATLARRSVDIFQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGHYDARAQLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGKKP SSDRPYIWNDNEQGLDEHIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDILPPLH  Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 43 (SEQ ID NO: 13): (SEQ ID NO: 13) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGGCAATA GCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGTACGTGTTGCCCGT AATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATAAAGATATTCTGCAGCGTATTCAGGCCAGCTGTG ATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTGTTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGT ATGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAACTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCT GAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAGATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCA AATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGTATTCGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCATGGAAATCTTTCT GAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTTATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTC CGCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTAGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATG GCAAAGAAATGGACGCACCGACCGCACTGC GTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAAAGAAGGTCTGGCAATGATGAATGGCAC CAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTATGATACCCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAA TGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGGTACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATC CATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTGGGCAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCG GTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGGATGGTAAACATGATTATATGGATGGTGAACTGATCCA GGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCTGCCGCAGTATCTGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGA TTGCCAAACAAATCGAAATTGAGATTAACAGCGTTACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAAT CAGGCAAGCTATCATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTA TGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATATCGGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTC AGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAGCAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGGTGGGTAATCGT GAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAAGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCT GACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATTGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATA TTAACAGCCAGGGTTATACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTTTTCAGAATTAT GTTGCCATTGCCCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCA TTATGATGCACGTGCCCAGCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTG TTGGTAAAAAACCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGGATGA ACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCGTTCAGGACA TTCTGCCGAACCTGCAT  Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 43 (SEQ ID NO: 14): (SEQ ID NO: 14) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVVRVARNGTLVSLTNNKDILQRIQASCDYIN NAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVRAAMLLRANSHM RGASGIRLELIKRMEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDPSFKVDFNGKEMDAPTA LRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAMGVHALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIH NSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYMDGELIQDRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQ IEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGMDHLRYYIGLLAKHLDVQIALLASPEFSNGLPP SLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFYGNSIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIF QNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGHYDARAQLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGKKPSSDRPYIVVNDNEQG LDEHIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDILPNLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1002 (SEQ ID NO: 15): (SEQ ID NO: 15) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGGCAATA GCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGCGCGTGTTGCCCGT AATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTATTCAGGCCAGCTGTGA TTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTGTTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTA TGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAACTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTG AAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAGATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAA ATAGCCACATGCATGGTGCAAGCGGTATTCGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCGCGGAAATCTTTCTG AATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTTATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCC GCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTAGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCA AAGAAATGGACGCACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAA AGAAGGTCTGGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTAT GATACCCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGG TACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTGGGCAG CAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCGGTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGGATGGTAAACA TGATTATCGTGATGGTGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCTGCCGCAGTATCTGG GTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAATTGAGATTAACAGCGTTACC GATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATCATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTA TGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATATCGGTGGCCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTC AGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAGCAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGGTGGGTAATCGT GAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAAGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCT GACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATTGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATA TTAACAGCCAGGGTTATACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTGGCCAGAATTAT GTTGCCATTGCCCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCA TTATGATGCACGTGCCCAGCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTG TTGGTCAGAAACCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGGATGA ACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCGTTCAGGACA TTCTGCCGAACCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1002 (SEQ ID NO: 16): (SEQ ID NO: 16) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVARVARNGTLVSLTNNTDILQGIQAS CDYINNAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVRAA MLLRANSHMHGASGIRLELIKRAEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDPSF KVDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAMGV HALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYRDGELIQ DRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGMDH LRYYIGGLAKHLDVQIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFYGN SIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIGQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGHYD ARAQLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGQKPSSDRPYIWNDNEQGLDE HIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDILPNLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1008 (SEQ ID NO: 17): (SEQ ID NO: 17) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGGCAATA GCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGCGCGTGTTGCCCGT AATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTATTCAGGCCAGCTGTGA TTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTGTTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTA TGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAACTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTG AAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAGATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAA ATAGCCACATGCATGGTGCAAGCGGTATTCGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCGCGGAAATCTTTCTG AATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTTATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCC GCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTAGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCA AAGAAATGGACGCACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAA AGAAGGTCTGGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTAT GATACCCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGG TACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTGGGCAG CAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCGGTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGGATGGTAAACA TGATTATCGTGATGGTGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCTGCCGCAGTATCTGG GTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAATTGAGATTAACAGCGTTACC GATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATCATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTA TGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATATCGGTGGCCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATACCC AGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAGCAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGGTGGGTAATCGT GAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAAGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCT GACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATTGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATA TTAACAGCCAGGGTTATACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTGGCCAGAATTAT GTTGCCATTGCCCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCA TTATGATGCACGTGCCCAGCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTG TTGGTCAGAAACCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGGATGA ACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCGTTCAGGACA TTCTGCCGAACCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1008 (SEQ ID NO: 18): (SEQ ID NO: 18) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVARVARNGTLVSLTNNTDILQGI QASCDYINNAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVR AAMLLRANSHMHGASGIRLELIKRAEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDP SFKVDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAM GVHALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYRDGE LIQDRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGM DHLRYYIGGLAKHLDTQIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFY GNSIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIGQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGH YDARAQLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGQKPSSDRPYIVVNDNEQGLDE HIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDILPNLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1009 (SEQ ID NO: 19): (SEQ ID NO: 19) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGGCAATA GCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGCGCGTGTTGCCCGT AATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTATTCAGGCCAGCTGTGA TTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTGTTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTA TGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAACTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTG AAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAGATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAA ATAGCCACATGCATGGTGCAAGCGGTATTCGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCGCGGAAATCTTTCTG AATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTTATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCC GCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTAGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCA AAGAAATGGACGCACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAA AGAAGGTCTGGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTAT GATACCCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGG TACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTGGGCAG CAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCGGTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGGATGGTAAACA TGATTATCGTGATGGTGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCTGCCGCAGTATCTGG GTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAATTGAGATTAACAGCGTTACC GATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATCATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTA TGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATGAAATCGGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTC AGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAGCAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGGTGGGTAATCGT GAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAAGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCT GACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATTGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATA TTAACAGCCAGGGTTATACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTGGCCAGAATTAT GTTGCCATTGCCCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCA TTATGATGCACGTGCCCAGCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTG TTGGTCAGAAACCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGGATGA ACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCGTTCAGGACA TTCTGCCGAACCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1009 (SEQ ID NO: 20): (SEQ ID NO: 20) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVARVARNGTLVSLTNNTDILQGI QASCDYINNAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVR AAMLLRANSHMHGASGIRLELIKRAEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDP SFKVDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAM GVHALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYRDGE LIQDRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGM DHLRYEIGLLAKHLDVQIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFY GNSIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIGQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGH YDARAQLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGQKPSSDRPYIVVNDNEQGLDEHIARISADIAAGGVIVQAV QDILPNLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1010 (SEQ ID NO: 21): (SEQ ID NO: 21) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGGCAATA GCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGCGCGTGTTGCCCGT AATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTATTCAGGCCAGCTGTGA TTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTGTTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTA TGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAACTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTG AAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAGATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAA ATAGCCACATGCATGGTGCAAGCGGTATTCGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCGCGGAAATCTTTCTG AATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTTATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCC GCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTAGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCA AAGAAATGGACGCACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAA AGAAGGTCTGGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTAT GATACCCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGG TACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTGGGCAG CAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCGGTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGGATGGTAAACA TGATTATCGTGATGGTGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCTGCCGCAGTATCTGG GTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAATTGAGATTAACAGCGTTACC GATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATCATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTA TGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATGAAATCGGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATACCC AGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAGCAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGGTGGGTAATCGT GAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAAGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCT GACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATTGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATA TTAACAGCCAGGGTTATACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTGGCCAGAATTAT GTTGCCATTGCCCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCA TTATGATGCACGTGCCCAGCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTG TTGGTCAGAAACCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGGATGA ACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCGTTCAGGACA TTCTGCCGAACCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1010 (SEQ ID NO: 22): (SEQ ID NO: 22) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVARVARNGTLVSLTNNTDILQGI QASCDYINNAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVR AAMLLRANSHMHGASGIRLELIKRAEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDP SFKVDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAM GVHALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYRDGE LIQDRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGM DHLRYEIGLLAKHLDTQIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFY GNSIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIGQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGH YDARAQLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGQKPSSDRPYIVVNDNEQGLDE HIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDILPNLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1084 (SEQ ID NO: 23): (SEQ ID NO: 23) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCCATACCGGCAAT AGCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGTACGTGTTGCCCG TAATGGCACCGCGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATAAAGATATTCTGCAGCGTATTCAGGCCAGCTGT GATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAAAGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTGTTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGG TATGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAACTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTC TGAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAGATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGC AAATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGTATTCGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCATGGAAATCTTT CTGAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTTATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGT TCCGCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTAGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATG GCAAAGAAATGGACGCACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCAGCC GAAAGAAGGTCTGGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTT TATGATACCCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAA TGGTACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTGGG CAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCGGTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGGATGGTAA ACATGATTATATGGATGGTGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCTGCCGCAGTATC TGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAATTGAGATTAACAGCGTT ACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATCATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCA GTATGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATATCGGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATG TTCAGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAGCAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGGTGGGTAAT CGTGAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAAGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCT GCTGACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATTGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGA ATATTAACAGCCAGGGTTATACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTTTTCAGAAT TATGTTGCCATTGCCCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGG TCATTATGATGCACGTGCCCAGCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATG TTGTTGGTAAAAAACCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGGA TGAACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCGTTCAGG ACATTCTGCCGCCGCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 1084 (SEQ ID NO: 24): (SEQ ID NO: 24) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSHTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVVRVARNGTAVSLTNNKDILQRI QASCDYINNAVEKGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADV RAAMLLRANSHMRGASGIRLELIKRMEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLD PSFKVDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPLTLQPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIA MGVHALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYMD GELIQDRYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGM GMDHLRYYIGLLAKHLDVQIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLL TFYGNSIADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIFQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKK TGHYDARAQLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGKKPSSDRPYIWNDNEQGLDE HIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDILPPLH Polynucleotide Sequence of AvPAL Variant No. 967 (SEQ ID NO: 25): (SEQ ID NO: 25) ATGAAAACCCTGAGTCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTACCGG CAATAGCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTGCGC GTGTTGCCCGTAATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGGGTA TTCAGGCCAGCTGTGATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATGGTG TTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTATGGCAAATGTTGTAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCGAAC TGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTGAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGGCAG ATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAAATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGTATTC GTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCGCGGAAATCTTTCTGAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTATGTTT ATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCCGCTGAGCTATATTACCGGTA GCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCAAAGAAATGGACGCAC CGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAAAGAAGGTCTG GCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTATGATACC CAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAATGGT ACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCTGTGG GCAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCGGTAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAACTGGA TGGTAAACATGATTATCGTGATGGTGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTTGTCT GCCGCAGTATCTGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCGAAAT TGAGATTAACAGCGTTACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCTATCA TGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTATGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTATATC GGTGGCCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTCAGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATTTAGC AATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGGTGGGTAATCGTGAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCTGAAA GGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCTGACCTTTTATGGTAATAGTATT GCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATATTAACAGCCAGGGTTAT ACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTGGCCAGAATTATGTTGCCATTGCC CTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCATTATGAT GCACGTGCCCAGCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTTGTT GGTCAGAAACCGAGCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTGGA TGAACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCCGT TCAGGACATTCTGCCGAACCTGCAT Polypeptide Sequence of Variant No. 967 (SEQ ID NO: 26): (SEQ ID NO: 26) MKTLSQAQSKTSSQQFSFTGNSSANVIIGNQKLTINDVARVARNGTLVSLTNNTDILQGIQAS CDYINNAVESGEPIYGVTSGFGGMANVVISREQASELQTNLVWFLKTGAGNKLPLADVRAA MLLRANSHMRGASGIRLELIKRAEIFLNAGVTPYVYEFGSIGASGDLVPLSYITGSLIGLDPSFK VDFNGKEMDAPTALRQLNLSPLTLLPKEGLAMMNGTSVMTGIAANCVYDTQILTAIAMGVH ALDIQALNGTNQSFHPFIHNSKPHPGQLWAADQMISLLAGSQLVRDELDGKHDYRDGELIQD RYSLRCLPQYLGPIVDGISQIAKQIEIEINSVTDNPLIDVDNQASYHGGNFLGQYVGMGMDHL RYYIGGLAKHLDVQIALLASPEFSNGLPPSLVGNRERKVNMGLKGLQICGNSIMPLLTFYGNS IADRFPTHAEQFNQNINSQGYTSATLARRSVDIGQNYVAIALMFGVQAVDLRTYKKTGHYDA RAQLSPATERLYSAVRHVVGQKPSSDRPYIWNDNEQGLDE HIARISADIAAGGVIVQAVQDILPNLH  Expression vector pCK100900i: (SEQ ID NO: 27) TGGCCACCATCACCATCACCATTAGGGAAGAGCAGATGGGCAAGCTTGACCTGTGAAGT GAAAAATGGCGCACATTGTGCGACATTTTTTTTTGAATTCTACGTAAAAAGCAGCCGATA CATCGGCTGCTTTTTTTTTGNNNGAGGTTCCAACTTGTGGTATAATGAAATAAGATCACT CCGGAGCGTATTTTTTGAGTTATCGAGATTTTCAGGAGCTAAGGAGGAACTAAAATGGA GAAAAAAATCACTGGATATACCACCGTTGATATATCCCAATGGCATCGTAAAGAACATTT TGAGGCATTTCAGTCAGTTGCTCAATGTACCTATAACCAGACCGTTCAGCTGGATATTAC GGCCTTTTTAAAGACCGTAAAGAAAAATAAGCACAAGTTTTATCCGGCCTTTATTCACAT TCTTGCCCGCCTGATGAATGCTCATCCGGAGTTCCGTATGGCAATGAAAGACGGTGAGCT GGTGATATGGGATAGTGTTCACCCTTGTTACACCGTTTTCCATGAGCAAACTGAAACGTT TTCATCGCTCTGGAGTGAATACCACGACGATTTCCGGCAGTTTCTACACATATATTCGCA AGATGTGGCGTGTTACGGTGAAAACCTGGCCTATTTCCCTAAAGGGTTTATTGAGAATAT GTTTTTCGTCTCAGCCAATCCCTGGGTGAGTTTCACCAGTTTTGATTTAAACGTGGCCAAT ATGGACAACTTCTTCGCCCCCGTTTTCACCATGGGCAAATATTATACGCAAGGCGACAAG GTGCTGATGCCGCTGGCGATTCAGGTTCATCATGCCGTCTGTGATGGCTTCCATGTCGGC AGAATGCTTAATGAATTACAACAGTACTGCGATGAGTGGCAGGGCGGGGCGTAACTGCA GGAGCTCAAACAGCAGCCTGTATTCAGGCTGCTTTTTTCGTTTTGGTCTGCGCGTAATCTC TTGCTCTGAAAACGAAAAAACCGCCTTGCAGGGCGGTTTTTCGAAGGTTCTCTGAGCTAC CAACTCTTTGAACCGAGGTAACTGGCTTGGAGGAGCGCAGTCACCAAAACTTGTCCTTTC AGTTTAGCCTTAACCGGCGCATGACTTCAAGACTAACTCCTCTAAATCAATTACCAGTGG CTGCTGCCAGTGGTGCTTTTGCATGTCTTTCCGGGTTGGACTCAAGACGATAGTTACCGG ATAAGGCGCAGCGGTCGGACTGAACGGGGGGTTCGTGCATACAGTCCAGCTTGGAGCGA ACTGCCTACCCGGAACTGAGTGTCAGGCGTGGAATGAGACAAACGCGGCCATAACAGCG GAATGACACCGGTAAACCGAAAGGCAGGAACAGGAGAGCGCACGAGGGAGCCGCCAGG GGGAAACGCCTGGTATCTTTATAGTCCTGTCGGGTTTCGCCACCACTGATTTGAGCGTCA GATTTCGTGATGCTTGTCAGGGGGGCGGAGCCTATGGAAAAACGGCTTTGCCGCGGCCCT CTCACTTCCCTGTTAAGTATCTTCCTGGCATCTTCCAGGAAATCTCCGCCCCGTTCGTAAG CCATTTCCGCTCGCCGCAGTCGAACGACCGAGCGTAGCGAGTCAGTGAGCGAGGAAGCG GAATATATCCTGTATCACATATTCTGCTGACGCACCGGTGCAGCCTTTTTTCTCCTGCCAC ATGAAGCACTTCACTGACACCCTCATCAGTGAACCACCGCTGGTAGCGGTGGTTTTTTTA GGCCTATGGCCTTTTTTTTTTNTGNNAAACCTTTCGCGGTATGGNATNANAGCGCCCGGA AGAGAGTCAATTAAGAGGGTGGTGAATGTGAAACCAGTAACGTTATACGATGTCGCAGA GTATGCCGGTGTCTCTTATCAGACCGTTTCCCGCGTGGTGAACCAGGCCAGCCACGTTTC TGCGAAAACGCGGGAAAAAGTGGAAGCGGCGATGGCGGAGCTGAATTACATTCCCAACC GCGTGGCACAACAACTGGCGGGCAAACAGTCGTTGCTGATTGGCGTTGCCACCTCCAGTC TGGCCCTGCACGCGCCGTCGCAAATTGTCGCGGCGATTAAATCTCGCGCCGATCAACTGG GTGCCAGCGTGGTGGTGTCGATGGTAGAACGAAGCGGCGTCGAAGCCTGTAAAGCGGCG GTGCACAATCTTCTCGCGCAACGCGTCAGTGGGCTGATCATTAACTATCCGCTGGATGAC CAGGATGCCATTGCTGTGGAAGCTGCCTGCACTAATGTTCCGGCGTTATTTCTTGATGTCT CTGACCAGACACCCATCAACAGTATTATTTTCTCCCATGAAGACGGTACGCGACTGGGCG TGGAGCATCTGGTCGCATTGGGTCACCAGCAAATCGCGCTGTTAGCGGGCCCATTAAGTT CTGTCTCGGCGCGTCTGCGTCTGGCTGGCTGGCATAAATATCTCACTCGCAATCAAATTC AGCCGATAGCGGAACGGGAAGGCGACTGGAGTGCCATGTCCGGTTTTCAACAAACCATG CAAATGCTGAATGAGGGCATCGTTCCCACTGCGATGCTGGTTGCCAACGATCAGATGGC GCTGGGCGCAATGCGCGCCATTACCGAGTCCGGGCTGCGCGTTGGTGCGGACATCTCGGT AGTGGGATACGACGATACCGAAGACAGCTCATGTTATATCCCGCCGTTAACCACCATCA AACAGGATTTTCGCCTGCTGGGGCAAACCAGCGTGGACCGCTTGCTGCAACTCTCTCAGG GCCAGGCGGTGAAGGGCAATCAGCTGTTGCCCGTCTCACTGGTGAAAAGAAAAACCACC CTGGCGCCCAATACGCAAACCGCCTCTCCCCGCGCGTTGGCCGATTCATTAATGCAGCTG GCACGACAGGTTTCCCGACTGGAAAGCGGGCAGTGAGCGGTACCCGATAAAAGCGGCTT CCTGACAGGAGGCCGTTTTGTTTCTCGAGTTAATTAAGGCAGTGAGCGCAACGCAATTAA TGTGAGTTAGCTCACTCATTAGGCACCCCAGGCTTTACACTTTATGCTTCCGGCTCGTATG TTGTGTGGAATTGTGAGCGGATAACAATTTCACACAGGAAACAGCTATGACCATGATTAC GGATTCACTGGCCGTCGTTTTACAATCTAGAGGCCAGCCTGGCCATAAGGAGATATACAT ATGGGCCATCATCATCATCATCATCATCATCATCACAGCAGCGGCCATATCGAAGGTCGT CATATGAAAACCCTGAGCCAGGCACAGAGCAAAACCAGCAGCCAGCAGTTTAGCTTTAC CGGCAATAGCAGCGCAAATGTGATTATTGGTAATCAGAAACTGACCATCAATGATGTTG CACGTGTTGCCCGTAATGGCACCCTGGTTAGCCTGACCAATAATACCGATATTCTGCAGG GTATTCAGGCCAGCTGTGATTATATCAATAATGCAGTTGAAAGCGGTGAACCGATTTATG GTGTTACCAGCGGTTTTGGTGGTATGGCAAATGTTGCAATTAGCCGTGAACAGGCAAGCG AACTGCAGACCAATCTGGTTTGGTTTCTGAAAACCGGTGCAGGTAATAAACTGCCGCTGG CAGATGTTCGTGCAGCAATGCTGCTGCGTGCAAATAGCCACATGCGTGGTGCAAGCGGT ATTCGTCTGGAACTGATTAAACGCATGGAAATCTTTCTGAATGCCGGTGTTACCCCGTAT GTTTATGAATTTGGTAGCATTGGTGCCAGCGGTGATCTGGTTCCGCTGAGCTATATTACC GGTAGCCTGATTGGCCTGGACCCGAGCTTTAAAGTTGATTTTAATGGCAAAGAAATGGAC GCACCGACCGCACTGCGTCAGCTGAATCTGAGTCCGCTGACCCTGCTGCCGAAAGAAGG TCTGGCAATGATGAATGGCACCAGCGTTATGACCGGTATTGCAGCAAATTGTGTTTATGA TACCCAGATTCTGACCGCAATTGCAATGGGTGTTCATGCACTGGATATTCAGGCACTGAA TGGTACAAATCAGAGCTTTCATCCGTTTATCCATAACAGCAAACCGCATCCGGGTCAGCT GTGGGCAGCAGATCAGATGATTAGCCTGCTGGCCAATAGCCAGCTGGTTCGTGATGAAC TGGATGGTAAACATGATTATCGTGATCATGAACTGATCCAGGATCGTTATAGCCTGCGTT GTCTGCCGCAGTATCTGGGTCCGATTGTTGATGGTATTAGCCAGATTGCCAAACAAATCG AAATTGAGATTAACAGCGTTACCGATAACCCGCTGATTGATGTTGATAATCAGGCAAGCT ATCATGGTGGTAATTTTCTGGGTCAGTATGTTGGTATGGGTATGGATCATCTGCGCTATTA TATCGGTCTGCTGGCAAAACATCTGGATGTTCAGATTGCACTGCTGGCATCACCGGAATT TAGCAATGGTCTGCCTCCGAGTCTGCTGGGTAATCGTGAACGTAAAGTTAATATGGGTCT GAAAGGTCTGCAGATTTGCGGTAATAGCATTATGCCGCTGCTGACCTTTTATGGTAATAG TATTGCAGATCGTTTTCCGACCCATGCCGAACAGTTTAACCAGAATATTAACAGCCAGGG TTATACCAGCGCAACCCTGGCACGTCGTAGCGTTGATATTTTTCAGAATTATGTTGCCATT GCCCTGATGTTTGGTGTTCAGGCAGTTGATCTGCGTACCTACAAAAAAACCGGTCATTAT GATGCACGTGCCTGTCTGTCACCGGCAACCGAACGTCTGTATAGCGCAGTTCGTCATGTT GTTGGTCAGAAACCGACCTCAGATCGTCCGTATATTTGGAATGATAATGAACAGGGTCTG GATGAACATATTGCACGTATTAGTGCAGATATTGCAGCCGGTGGTGTTATTGTTCAGGCC GTTCAGGACATTCTGCCGTGTCTGCATTAAGGCCAAAC

Example 1 PAL Gene Acquisition and Construction of Expression Vectors

Anabaena variabilis phenylalanine ammonia lyase (AvPAL) plasmid DNA was obtained and a synthetic gene encoding AvPAL was codon optimized for expression in E. coli and cloned into the E. coli expression vector pET16b to provide pET16b-AvPAL (SEQ ID NO:1). The AvPAL open reading frame (SEQ ID NO:2) was amplified by PCR using the oligonucleotides: PAL-pCK-F and PAL-pCK-R and subcloned into the expression vector pCK100900i (SEQ ID NO: 27).

Primer Sequence 5′ to 3′ SEQ ID NO: PAL- CTAGAGGCCAGCCTGGCCATAAGGAGATA SEQ ID pCK-F TACATATGAAAACCCTGAGCCAGGCAC NO: 28 PAL- GATGGTGATGGTGGCCAGTTTGGCCTTAA SEQ ID pCK-R TGCAGACACGGCAGAATG NO: 29

This plasmid construct was transformed into an E. coli strain derived from W3110. Directed evolution techniques generally known by those skilled in the art were used to generate libraries of gene variants from this plasmid construct (See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,383,346 and WO2010/144103).

Example 2 High-Throughput (HTP) Growth and Assays

In this Example, methods used for HTP growth and various assays used to test the variant PALs are described.

High-Throughput (HTP) Growth of PAL and PAL Variants

Transformed E. coli cells were selected by plating onto LB agar plates containing 1% glucose and 30 μg/ml chloramphenicol. After overnight incubation at 37° C., colonies were placed into NUNC™ (Thermo-Scientific) the wells of 96-well shallow flat bottom plates filled with 180 μl/well LB supplemented with 1% glucose and 30 μg/ml chloramphenicol. The cultures were allowed to grow overnight for 18-20 hours in a shaker (200 rpm, 30° C., and 85% relative humidity; Kuhner). Overnight growth samples (20 μL) were transferred into Costar 96-well deep plates filled with 3804 of Terrific Broth supplemented with 30 μg/ml chloramphenicol. The plates were incubated for 135 minutes in a shaker (250 rpm, 30° C., and 85% relative humidity; Kuhner). The cells were then induced with 40 μL of 10 mM IPTG in sterile water and incubated overnight for 20-24 hours in a shaker (250 rpm, 30° C., and 85% relative humidity; Kuhner). Two replicate cultures were combined, the cells were pelleted (4000 rpm×20 min), the supernatants were discarded, and the cells were frozen at −80° C. prior to analysis.

Lysis of HTP Pellets

First, 500 μL of lysis buffer (20 mM Tris pH 7.5, 1 mM MgSO₄, 1 mg/ml lysozyme, and 0.5 mg/ml polymyxin B sulfate) were added to the cell pellets. The mixture was agitated for 1.5 h at room temperature, and pelleted (4000 rpm×5 min) prior to use of the clarified lysates in the various HTP assays described herein. Analysis of these lysates by SDS-PAGE revealed the presence of an overexpressed protein at an apparent MW of ˜60 kDa, consistent with the expected MW of PAL.

Analysis of Clarified Lysates

PAL variant activity was determined by measuring the formation of cinnamic acid as determined by the change in absorbance at 290 nm over time. For this assay, 100 μL of either 200 mM Tris/50 mM phenylalanine, pH 7.5, or 200 mM sodium phosphate/50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.0, 80 μL of water, and 20 μL of clarified lysate were added to the wells of a poly-acrylate 96-well plate (Costar #3635, Corning). The reactions were mixed briefly and the activity was determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader.

HTP-Analysis of Clarified Lysates Pretreated with Protease

PAL variants were challenged with chymotrypsin and trypsin to simulate the environment of the lower intestine. First, 30 μL of protease mix (0.01-100 mg/ml chymotrypsin (C4129 Sigma Aldrich), 0.01-100 mg/ml trypsin (T7409 Sigma Aldrich), 1 mM CaCl₂, and 1 mM HCl), 0-304 of 20 mM sodium taurocholate in 500 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0, and 90-120 μL of clarified lysate were added to the wells of a 96-well round bottom plate (Costar #3798, Corning). The plates were sealed and incubated at 37° C., 400 rpm, 1″ throw for 1 h prior to analysis. For the assay, 100 μL of either 200 mM Tris/50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.5 or 200 mM sodium phosphate/50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.0 and 100 μL of the protease treated lysate were added to the wells of a poly-acrylate 96-well plate (Costar #3635, Corning). The reactions were mixed briefly and the activity was determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader. The results are provided in the following Tables.

HTP-Analysis of Clarified Lysates Pretreated with Acid

In this assay, PAL variants were challenged under acidic conditions, in order to simulate the environment of the stomach. First, 20 μL of 1M sodium citrate (pH 3.7-4.5) and 30 μL of water or 50 μL of 400 mM sodium citrate pH 3.7-4.8, and 50 uL of clarified lysate were added to the wells of a 96-well round bottom plate (Costar #3798, Corning). The plate was sealed and incubated at 37° C., 400 rpm, 1″ throw for 1 h prior to analysis. For the assay, 100 μL of either 200 mM Tris, 50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.5 and 80 μL 1M Tris pH 7.5 or 200 mM sodium phosphate/50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.0 and 80 μL of 1.0 M sodium phosphate pH7.0, and 20 μL of the acid-treated lysate were added to the wells of a poly-acrylate 96-well plate (Costar #3635, Corning). The reactions were mixed briefly, and the activity was determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader. The results are provided in the following Tables.

HTP Analysis of Clarified Lysates Pretreated with Pepsin

In additional assays, PAL variants are challenged with acidic conditions and pepsin to further test the variants under conditions that mimic the gastric environment. First, 50 μL of 0.01-100 mg/ml pepsin in 400 mM sodium citrate pH 1.5-4, and 50 μL of clarified lysate are added to the wells of a 96-well round bottom plate (Costar #3798, Corning). The plate is sealed and incubated at 37° C., 400 rpm, 1″ throw for 1-12h prior to analysis. For the assay, 100 μL of either 200 mM Tris/50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.5 and 80 μL 1M Tris pH 7.5 or 200 mM sodium phosphate/50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.0, and 20 μL of acid-treated lysate are added to the wells of a poly-acrylate 96-well plate (Costar #3635, Corning). The reactions are mixed briefly, and the activity is determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader.

TABLE 2-1 Relative Activity of PAL Variants When Unchallenged (U-C), Protease-Challenged (P-C), and Acid-Challenged (A-C). Amino Acid Differences Variant # U-C P-C A-C Relative to SEQ ID NO: 4 1 + + + A39V/A91V/Y158H/S180A/N290G/A394V/S399N/ N474Q/K522Y/T524S 2 + + ++ A39V/A91V/Y158H/A256G/A394V/P404A/N474Q 3 + ++ ++ A39V/A91V/S180A/A394V/K522F/T524S 4 + + ++ A39V/A91V/Y158H/T243I/A256G/S399N/P404A/L407V/ N474Q 5 + + ++ E308Q 6 + ++ + N400K 7 + + + L364Q 8 + + ++ A256G/N290G/P404A/L407V/N474Q/K522F 9 + + ++ Y158H/S180A/A394V/T463N/N474Q/T524S 10 + + ++ A39V/A91V/Y158H/S180A/K195E/A256G/S399N/ L407V/Y459F/T463N/K522N/T524S 11 + + ++ A39V/A91V/Y158H/S180A/K195E/A256G/ N290G/S399N/Y459F/T463N 12 + ++ ++ A39V/A91V/Y158H/S180A/K195E/T243I/A394V 13 + ++ ++ A39V/A91V/Y158H/K195E/T243I/A256G/A394V/ S399N/N474Q/K522Y/T524S 14 + ++ ++ A39V/A91V/Y158H/S180A/K195E/I245L/S399N/ L407V/Y459F/T463N/N474Q/T524S 15 + ++ + H307M 16 + + ++ A39V/A91V/Y158H/S180A/T243L/A394V/S399N/ T463N/K522F 17 + + ++ A91V/N474Q 18 ++ + ++ S180A/K195E 19 ++ + ++ A91V/Y158H/T243I/A256G/N290G/S399N/L407V/ Y459F/T463N/N474Q/K522N/T524S 20 ++ ++ ++ A39V/Y158H/S180A/S399N 21 ++ ++ ++ A91V/N270K 22 ++ +++ ++ H307G 23 ++ ++ + N453G 24 ++ ++ ++ H307Q 25 ++ ++ + L257W 26 ++ + +++ A91V/Y158H/I245L/A256G/S399N/Y459F/T463N/ K522Y/T524S 27 ++ ++ + F443H 28 ++ ++ ++ A91V/Y158H/S180A 29 ++ ++ + A91Y/Y158H/K195E/S399N 30 ++ ++ +++ A39V/A91V/A256G/N290G/A394V/S399N/P404A/ L407V/K522Y/T524S 31 ++ ++ + L257A 32 ++ + +++ Y158H/K195E/T243L/A256G/A394V/S399N/ L407V/N474Q/K522F/T524S 33 ++ ++ L349M 34 +++ +++ + I326F 35 +++ +++ +++ T460G/P528L 1. Relative activity was calculated as activity of the variant/activity of SEQ ID NO: 4 (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 3). 2. Variant # 22 has the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7 and polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, and Variant # 30 has polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 and polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6. 3. + = 0.1 to 1.0 relative activity over wild-type AvPAL; ++ = >1.0 to 2.0 relative activity over wild-type AvPAL; and +++ = >2.0 relative activity over wild-type AvPAL.

TABLE 2-2 Relative Activity of PAL Variants Unchallenged (U-C), Protease-Challenged (P-C), and Acid-Challenged (A-C). Variant Amino Acid Differences - Relative to Wild-Type AvPAL # U-C P-C A-C (SEQ ID NO: 4) 36 ++ +++ ++ A39V/A91V/N290G/H307G/L407V/T524S 37 ++ +++ ++ A39V/A91V/N290G/H307G/L407V 38 + ++ + A39V/A91V/A256G/N290G/H307G/S399N/P404A/ L407V/K522Y/T524S 39 ++ + ++ A39V/A91V/A256G/N290G/S399N/P404A/L407V/K522Y 40 + ++ + A39V/A256G/N290G/H307G/P404A/L407V 41 + ++ + A39V/A91V/A256G/N290G/H307G/P404A/L407V/T524S 1. Relative activity was calculated as activity of the variant/activity of Variant No. 30. 2. Variant # 36 has polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9 and polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10. 3. + = >1.0 to 3.0 relative activity over Variant 30; ++ = >3.0 to 10 relative activity over Variant 30; and +++ = >10 to 35 relative activity over Variant 30.

TABLE 2-3 Relative Activity of PAL Variants Unchallenged (U-C), Protease-Challenged (P-C), and Acid-Challenged (A-C). Variant # U-C A-C P-C Mutations (Relative to Variant No. 36) 42 + + + T54K/G59R/S73K/R305M/C503Q/ Q521K/C565P 43 + +++ ++ T54K/G59R/R305M/C503Q/Q521K/ C565N 44 ++ +++ ++ G59R/C503Q 45 ++ +++ ++ K32P/G59R/S73K/Q240W/C503Q/C565N 46 + + + K32P/G59R/S73K/Q240W/C565P 47 + +++ ++ K32P/T54K/S73K/R305M/C503Q/ Q521K/C565N 48 +++ +++ ++ Y304H/D353A 49 ++ +++ +++ S73K/D353A 50 + + ++ A112C/S546R 51 ++ + ++ S73K/Q240W/Y304H 52 + + ++ R134Q/Q240W/Y304H/D353A/E509L 1. Relative activity was calculated as activity of variant/activity of Variant No 36. 2. Variant # 42 has the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11 and a polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12. Variant # 43 has the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13 and a polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14. 3. + = >0.5 to 1.5 relative activity over Variant 36; ++ = >1.5 to 3 relative activity over Variant 36; and +++ = >3 to 10 relative activity over Variant 36.

TABLE 2-4 Relative Activity of PAL Variants Unchallenged (U-C), Protease-Challenged (P-C), and Acid-Challenged (A-C). Mutations (Relative to Variant # U-C P-C A-C Variant 30) 53 + + + D303R 54 + + ++ E308A 55 + + + E308D 56 ++ ++ + G256A 57 + ++ + H307A 58 + +++ + H307D 59 + ++ + H307E 60 + ++ + H307F 61 + +++ + H307G 62 + + + H307I 63 + + + H307L 64 ++ +++ ++ H307M 65 + ++ + H307N 66 ++ ++ ++ H307R 67 + + + H307Y 68 + +++ + R305L 69 + +++ + R305M 70 + +++ + R305Q 71 ++ ++ + V91A/G256A 72 + ++ + Y304H 73 + + + Y304W 74 + + + C503K 75 + + + C503Q 76 + + + C565A 77 + + + C565G 78 + + + C565I 79 + + + C565K 80 + + + C565L 81 + ++ + C565N 82 + + + C565P 83 + + + C565T 1. Relative activity was calculated as activity of variant/activity of Variant No. 30 (Variants 53-73) or wild-type AvPAL of SEQ ID NO: 4 (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 3) (Variants 74-83.) 2. + = >0.5 to 1.5 relative activity over Variant 30 or wild-type AvPAL; ++ = >1.5 to 3 relative activity over Variant 30 or wild-type AvPAL; and +++ = >3 to 10 relative activity over Variant 30 or wild-type AvPAL.

TABLE 2-5 Relative Activity of PAL Variants Unchallenged (U-C), Protease-Challenged (P-C), and Acid-Challenged (A-C). Variant # U-C P-C A-C Mutations Relative to Variant 42 42 + + + 1011 + + + R59G/R134Q/Q240R/K521Q/P564L 1012 + + ++ R59G/P564M 1013 + + + R59G/Q240W/E509L/K521Q/P564M 1014 ++ ++ + Q240W/Y304H/D353N/E509L/K521S/P564L 1015 + ++ + R59G/R134Q/Q240R/K521Q/P565N 1016 + +++ + Y304H/D353A/E509L 1017 + ++ + R59G/R134Q/Y304H/D353N/K521Q 1018 + +++ + R59G/R134Q/Q240R/K521S 1019 + + + R134Q/Y304H/D353A/K521S/P565N 1020 + + + R59G/R134Q/Q240R/Y304H/D353A/K521Q/P564M 1021 ++ +++ ++ Q240W/D353A/E509L/K521Q 1022 + ++ + R134Q/Q240W/E509L/K521S 1023 ++ ++ ++ R134Q/Q240R/D353A/K521Q/P564G 1024 + + + R134Q/K521Q 1025 + +++ + K521Q 1026 + +++ + R134Q/D353A/K521S/P564M 1027 + +++ + R59G/R134Q/Q240W/D353A 1028 ++ ++ + R59G/K521S 1029 + ++ + R59G/D353A 1030 + + + Q240R/D353A/K521S 1031 + + + R59G/D353A/E509L/P564L 1032 + + + R59G/D353A/K521Q 1033 + + + R59G/R134Q/D353A/E509L/K521Q 1034 + + + Q240R/Y304H/E509L 1035 + + + R59G/Q240R/D353A/E509L 1036 + + + R59G/R134Q/E509L 1037 + + + Q240W/Y304H/E509L/K521S 1038 + + + Q240W/D353A/E509L/K521S/P564L/P565N 1039 + + + R59G/Q240R/D353A/P564M/P565N 1040 + + + R134Q/D353A/K521S 1041 + + + R134Q/Q240W/Y304H/D353A/P564L 1042 + + + Q240R/E509L/P565N 1043 + + + Q240R/K521S/P564M/P565N 1044 + + + R134Q/D353A/P564L 1045 + + + R59G/R134Q 1046 + + + R59G/Q240R 1047 + + + Y304H/E509L 1048 + + + R134Q/Q240R/D353A/E509L/K521Q/P564L 1049 + + + Q240W/E509L/P564L/P565N 1050 + + + R59G/E509L/P564L 1051 + + + R134Q/D353A/E509L/P564L 1052 + + + R59G/D353A/P565N 1053 + + + Q240R/E509L 1054 + + + Q240R 1055 + + + D353A/K521Q 1056 + + + Q240W/D353A/E509L 1057 + + + F18H/L47A/L214Q/E540D 1058 + + + F18H/L47A/L214Q/E308K/F450Y/S546R 1059 + + + F18H/L47A/F450Y/P528L/S546R 1060 + + + L214Q/E308Q/T460G 1061 + + + F18H/F450Y/E540D 1062 + + + P528L/S546R 1063 + + + F18H/L214Q/F450Y 1064 + + + E308Q/F450Y/R467G 1065 + + + F18H/E540D 1066 + + + L47A/L214Q/S546R 1067 + + + F18H/L214Q/E308Q 1068 + + + L47A/L214Q/E308Q 1069 + + + F18H/L47E/L214Q/R467G/E540D/S546R 1070 + + + L47A/F450Y 1071 + + + L47A/L214Q 1072 + + + F18H/L47A/L214Q/S546R 1073 + + + F18H/L214Q 1074 + + + L214Q/F450Y/P528L 1075 + + + F18H/L214Q/E308Q/F450Y/R467G 1076 + + + L47A/L214Q/E540D 1077 + + + L214Q/E540D 1078 + + + F18H/L47A/E308Q/S546R 1079 + + + F18H 1080 + + + F18H/L47A/F450Y/S546R 1081 + + + F18H/L47A/L214Q/F450Y 1082 + + + F18H/L47A 1083 + + + L47A 1084 + + + F18H/L47A/L214Q 1085 + + + L214Q/S546R 1086 + + + F18H/L214Q/R467G/S546R 1087 + + + F18H/L47A/L214Q/E308Q 1088 + + + F18H/L214Q/T460G 1089 + + + F18H/L47A/F450Y 1090 + + + F18H/L214Q/E540D 1. Relative activity was calculated as activity of variant/activity of Variant No. 42 2. − <0.5 relative activity over Variant No. 42; + = >0.5 to 1.5 relative activity over Variant No. 42; and ++ = >1.5 to 3 relative activity over Variant No. 42.

Example 3 Assays to Determine Protein Aggregation of PAL Variants

The propensity of the PAL variants to aggregate is determined using the ProteoStat® Protein Aggregation Assay kit (Enzo), according to the manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, purified PAL at 0-100 μM is mixed with ProteoStat® detection reagent (1:2000) and analyzed via flow cytometry. Samples are assessed for fluorescence, consistent with the ProteoStat® Aggregation Standards, as known in the art (See e.g., Bershtein et al., Mol. Cell, 133-144 [2013]).

Example 4 Lyophilized Lysates from Shake Flask (SF) Cultures

Selected HTP cultures grown as described above were plated onto LB-agar plates with 1% glucose and 30 μg/ml chloramphenicol and grown overnight at 37° C. A single colony from each culture was transferred to 50 ml of LB with 1% glucose and 30 μg/ml chloramphenicol. The cultures were grown for 18 h at 30° C., 250 rpm, and subcultured at a dilution of approximately 1:10 into 250 ml of Terrific Broth with 30 μg/ml of chloramphenicol, to a final OD600 of 0.2. The cultures were incubated for 135 minutes at 30° C., 250 rpm, to an OD600 of 0.6 and induced with 1 mM of IPTG. The induced cultures were incubated for 20 h at 30° C., 250 rpm. Following this incubation period, the cultures were centrifuged 4000 rpm×10 mM. The supernatant was discarded, and the pellets were resuspended in 30 ml of 50 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.5. The cells were pelleted (4000 rpm×10 min), resuspended in 12 ml of 50 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.5, and lysed using a One Shot Cell Disruption system (Constant Systems) at 17,000 psi. Lysate was pelleted (10,000 rpm×30 min) and the supernatant was frozen and lyophilized to generate an enzyme-containing powder.

Purification of PAL From Shake Flask Cultures

PAL Variant No. 42 was grown in shake flask cultures to saturation, as described above. Saturated cultures were pelleted by centrifugation (4000 rpm×20 min) and the cell pellets were stored at −80° C. prior to purification. The cell pellets were thawed at room temperature and resuspended in 25 mM Tris, pH 8 with 130 mM NaCl at 5 mL of buffer/g of cells. The sample slurry was lysed using a microfluidizer with a pressure setting of 110 psi. The resulting lysate was clarified by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm for 1 hour, followed by filtration through a 0.2 μm PES filter (Millipore).

After filtration, the resulting lysate was heated at 70-85° C. for 1.5-2 hours in the presence or absence of 10 mM Phe. The lysate was removed from the heat and clarified by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm at 4° C. for 1 hour. The supernatant containing soluble PAL was then filtered through a 0.2 μm PES filter prior to loading onto a chromatography column.

The heat-treated, filtered lysate, containing 80-100 mg of total protein, was diluted two-fold using 25 mM Tris, pH 8 with 1.2 M ammonium sulfate. The sample was loaded on to a HiPrep 16/10 Phenyl FF (hi sub) column (GE Healthcare) pre-equilibrated with the 25 mM Tris, pH 8 with 0.6M ammonium sulfate. Following sample loading, the column was washed with three column volumes of the same buffer, followed by a linear gradient of 0.6 M-0 M ammonium sulfate in 25 mM Tris, pH 8 for one column volume. Tightly-bound PAL was eluted off the column using an isocratic elution with 25 mM Tris, pH 8 for three column volumes. Fractions containing active and pure PAL were pooled.

The purified PAL from the phenyl column was buffer-exchanged into 0.5 M Tris, pH 8.5 and concentrated. The concentrated PAL was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and found to be present in a band at ˜60 kDa. The purified PAL samples were filtered using a 0.45 μm PES filter and were stored at −80° C. until ready for use.

Example 5 Characterization of Purified PAL and PAL Variants

In this Example, assays conducted to characterize wild-type and variant PALs are described.

Tolerance to Acidic pH:

Lyophilized powders containing PAL variants were dissolved at 2 g/L in 20 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0. Then, 50 μL of the enzyme solutions were mixed with 50 μL of 400 mM citric acid (pH 4.0-5.2) or 100 mM sodium phosphate and reactions were incubated at 37° C. for 1 h at 400 rpm (1″ throw). Then, 20 μL of the solution were briefly mixed with 80 μL of 1M sodium phosphate pH 7.0 and 100 μL of 200 mM Tris/50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.5. The enzymatic activity under acidic conditions was determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader. The results are shown FIG. 2. As indicated in FIG. 2, Variant Nos. 30 and 36 maintained more activity after being incubated at pHs approximately 4 to 4.8, compared to the wild-type PAL.

Determination of K_(M):

To evaluate whether the mutations in the variant PALs had altered the affinity of the PAL variants for phenylalanine, the Michaelis constant for the wild-type enzyme and Variant 36 were determined. First, 100 μL of 15 μg/ml PAL in 100 mM Tris pH 8.0, and 100 μL of 0-32 mM phenylalanine in 100 mM Tris, pH 8.0, were added to the wells of a poly-acrylate 96-well plate (Costar #3625, Corning). The reaction was mixed briefly and initial rates were determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader. The K_(M) for each tested PAL variant was determined by fitting the data to a Lineweaver-Burke plot, as known in the art. The results are shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the K_(M) was 74 μM for the wild-type enzyme and 60 μM for Variant 36.

Amino Acid Specificity:

Some phenylalanine ammonia lyases demonstrate activity against tyrosine and/or histidine in addition to phenylalanine. To evaluate if the mutations present in the PAL variants had altered the specificity of the PAL variants for phenylalanine, the activities of wild-type enzyme and Variant 36 on these three amino acids were assessed. First, 100 μL of 5 g/L of PAL-containing lyophilized powder in 10 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0, and 100 μL of 50 mM phenylalanine or histidine or 2.5 mM tyrosine in 200 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.5 were added to the wells of a poly-acrylate 96-well plate (Costar #3635, Corning). The solutions were mixed briefly and initial rates were determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader. The results are shown in FIG. 4. As indicated, no detectable activity was observed for either the WT enzyme or Variant No. 36 with either histidine or tyrosine, indicating that these enzymes are specific for phenylalanine.

Resistance to Porcine and Bovine Proteases:

PAL variant samples prepared as described in Example 4, were dissolved at 2 g/L in 100 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0. Porcine trypsin and bovine chymotrypsin (100 mg each) were dissolved in 2 ml of 100 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0, and serially diluted 2-fold eleven times in 100 mM sodium phosphate. Then, 80 μL of the PAL variant enzyme solutions were mixed with 20 μL of the trypsin and chymotrypsin solution. The reaction mixtures were incubated at 37° C. for 1 h at 400 rpm (1″ throw). Then, 20 μL of the reaction was mixed with 80 μL of water and 100 μL of 100 mM sodium phosphate, 50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.0. Each solution was mixed briefly, and the activity was determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader. The results are shown in FIG. 2. As indicated in this Figure, all of the tested variants showed improved protease resistance, as compared to the wild-type PAL, with Variant No. 36 being the most stable towards proteolysis.

Resistance to Human Proteases:

As described above, some evolved PAL variants were screened against porcine trypsin and bovine chymotrypsin to assess their resistance to proteolysis by enzymes present in the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the evolved PAL variants were also tested using human enzymes, to confirm that they are resistant to the human homologues of the porcine or bovine enzymes. In these assays, lyophilized powders of WT PAL and Variant No. 36 (2.4 g/L in 100 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.0) were incubated with human chymotrypsin (Athens Research) 0-80 BTEE units/ml or human trypsin (ProSpec) (0-10,000 BAEE units/ml) at 37° C. for 2 h. Then, 100 μL of the mixtures were added to the wells of a poly-acrylate 96-well plate (Costar #3635, Corning), followed by the addition of 100 μL of 50 mM phenylalanine, 200 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0. The solution was mixed briefly and initial rates were determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader. The results are shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, Variant No. 36 was more stable than the wild type PAL enzyme.

Resistance to Crude Pancreatic Extract:

The evolved PAL variants were also tested to determine their resistance to pancreatic enzymes. Lyophilized powders of WT PAL, Variant No. 36, Variant No. 42, and Variant No. 43 lyophilized powders (prepared as described in Example 4; 12 g/L in 50 mM potassium phosphate pH 6.8) were mixed 1:1 with porcine pancreatin (4× Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.), and incubated at 37° C. with shaking (400 rpm, 1″ throw) for up to 23 h. At the indicated time points, a 10 μL aliquot of the reactions was added to 190 μL of 50 mM phenylalanine, 190 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0, in the wells of a poly-acrylate 96-well plate (Costar #3635, Corning). The reaction was mixed briefly and initial rates were determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader. The results are shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, Variant No. 36, Variant No. 42, and Variant No. 43 all showed significant stability under these assay conditions, as compared to the wild-type PAL enzyme.

Impact of Intestinal Detergents:

The evolved PAL variants were also tested for their susceptibility to proteolysis in the presence or absence of intestinal bile acids and fatty acids, to assess whether these acids impact their stability. Lyophilized powders containing Variant No. 36 (prepared as described in Example 4) were dissolved at 50 μg/ml in 0-16 mM sodium taurocholate, 100 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.0. Porcine trypsin and bovine chymotrypsin (80 mg each) were dissolved in 2 ml of 100 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0, and serially diluted 2-fold eleven times in 100 mM sodium phosphate. For the assay, 50 μL of the PAL solutions were mixed with 50 μL of the protease solution. The mixtures were incubated at 37° C. for 1 h at 400 rpm (1″ throw). Then, 50 μL of the mixtures were mixed with 150 μL of 200 mM sodium phosphate, 50 mM phenylalanine pH 7.0. Each reaction was mixed briefly, and the activity was determined by tracking the absorbance at 290 nm over time (every 12-20s over 5-20 min) using a SpectraMax® Plus³⁸⁴ or a SpectraMax® 190 (Molecular Devices) absorbance microplate reader. The results are shown in FIG. 7. As shown in this Figure, additional sodium taurocholate increases the susceptibility of Variant No. 36 to proteolysis.

Example 6 Intestinal Stability of Variant PAL

To assess the stability and activity of PAL variants as they transit through an animal gut, mice were gavaged with purified enzyme variants. Healthy C57Bl/6 mice, 10-12 weeks old and weighing 20-26 g, were maintained in a metabolic cage and fasted for 15h. Water was provided ad libitum. Following the overnight fast, animals were gavaged using a 21-gauge gavage needle with a mixture of 0.3 ml of 0.5 M Tris-HCl pH 8.5, and 8 mg/ml in 0.5 M Tris-HCl pH 8.5, WT PAL (prepared as described in Example 4) or 8 mg/ml in 0.5 M Tris-HCl pH 8.5 Variant No. 42 (prepared as described in Example 4). At 0.5, 2, or 6 h post-gavage, the animals were decapitated, plasma was collected using green-top capillary blood collection tubes (Ram Scientific), and the contents of the stomach, duodenum (˜1-8 cm from the stomach), jejunum (˜10-18 cm from the stomach), ileum (˜8 cm above the cecum), and colon (˜5 cm below the cecum) were collected. The weight of these contents was recorded and the contents were stored at −80° C. prior to analysis.

Stomach or intestinal contents were diluted 4× with 100 mM sodium phosphate pH 7.0, mixed briefly, and centrifuged at 14,000 rpm×2 min. The supernatants were transferred to a 350 μL, 0.45 μM, AcroPrep™ Advanced 96-well filter plate (Pall Corp), and particulates were removed via vacuum filtration. The clarified filtrate was assessed for enzymatic activity as described in the previous Examples and for the presence of intact PAL protein by SDS-PAGE. The results indicated that enzymatic activity in the duodenum and jejunum appeared to be higher for the evolved PAL variants, as compared to the wild-type PAL enzyme and negative control.

Example 7 Plasma Phenylalanine Levels

Plasma samples collected from the mice described in Example 6 were evaluated to determine the quantity of phenylalanine present in the bloodstreams of the tested mice. Mouse plasma (50 μL) was combined with 250 μL of acetontrile containing 0.6 mM of dl-phenylalanine (Ring D₅) (i.e., an isotopically labeled version of phenylalanine comprising deuterium rather than hydrogen bonded with the aromatic ring carbons; Cambridge Isotope Laboratories). The samples were mixed at RT for 5 min, centrifuged at 3200×g for 10 min at 4° C. and the supernatants were transferred to a plate for sample analysis. For the analysis, 10 μL of each sample was injected into a3200 QTRAP® LC/MS/MS system (AB Sciex) across a DISCOVERY® C18 column (150×2.1 mM, 5 μm beads) (Supelco, now Sigma-Aldrich), eluting with 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B). Samples were eluted across a 5 min gradient (t=0, 97% A; 3 min, 50% A; 3.5 min, 5% A; 4 min, 97% A; 5 min, 95% A) looking for a transition of 166 to 120 for endogenous phenylalanine and 171 to 125 for the isotopically labeled standard. The results indicated that the plasma phenylalanine levels were lower at the 30 minute time-point in samples from mice that were given the evolved PAL variant (i.e., Variant No. 42), as compared to the wild-type PAL enzyme and negative control.

Example 8 Therapeutic Function of Variant PAL

To assess whether PAL variants reduce serum Phe levels in vivo, a mouse model of PKU was used. In these experiments, the PAL proteins were gavaged into affected animals. First, a consistent baseline Phe level was established in the mice by removing Phe from their diets for three days followed by injection of known quantity of Phe-containing solution. Three- to six-month old homozygous PAH enu-2 mice with a C57Bl/6 background (See, McDonald et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:1965-1967 [1990]) were transferred to a phenylalanine-free diet (TD.97152, Harlan) with 0.03 g/L of Phe provided in their drinking water for 72 h. Prior to initiating treatment at time=0 h, mice were injected with 0.15 mg/g of body weight Phe (from a 10 g/L solution of Phe in water). Fifty-five minutes post-injection, approximately 20 μL of blood was collected by tail-vein puncture and spotted onto filter paper. Subsequently, at times 1 h-, 3 h-, and 5 h-post injection the mice were gavaged with 0.3 ml of 50-100 g/L of WT AvPAL, WT AvPAL plus aprotinin, BSA, or Variant No. 42. At 6 h-, 7 h-, and 9 h-post injection, additional blood spots were collected on filter paper. The blood spots were dried and stored at −20° C. prior to LC-MS/MS analysis for Phe and Tyr levels using methods known in the art (See, Chase et al., Clin. Chem., 39:66-71 [1993]).

The results are shown in FIG. 8. As indicated in this Figure, gavage with inactive protein (BSA), led to increased serum Phe levels. In contrast, treatment with proteolytically susceptible WT AvPAL resulted in constant Phe-levels, while the same protein, combined with the protease inhibitor aprotinin resulted in a significant drop in Phe-levels. The results also show that administering the engineered-PAL Variant No. 42 resulted in decreased serum Phe levels in the absence of protease inhibitors.

Example 9 Deimmunization of PAL

In this Example, experiments conducted to identify diversity that would remove T-cell epitopes from PAL are described.

Identification of Deimmunizing Diversity:

To identify amino acids that, when mutated, could remove T-cell epitopes, computational methods were used to identify PAL sequences predicted to elicit a T-cell response. In parallel, experimental searches for allowable, non-deleterious mutations were also conducted, particularly for amino acids that maintain protein activity in an unchallenged assay (e.g., in the assays described in Example 2). Active variants were then analyzed for the effect of the mutations on the predicted immunogenicity.

Computational Identification of Putative T-Cell Epitopes in a Variant AvPAL:

Putative T-cell epitopes in a AvPAL Variant No. 36 were identified using the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB; Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource website) tools, as known in the art and proprietary statistical analysis tools (See e.g., iedb.org and Vita et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 38 (Database issue): D854-62 [2010]. Epub 2009 Nov. 11]). The AvPAL variant was parsed into all possible 15-mer analysis frames, with each frame overlapping the last by 14 amino acids. The 15-mer analysis frames were evaluated for immunogenic potential by scoring their 9-mer core regions for predicted binding to eight common Class II HLA-DR alleles (DRB1*0101, DRB1*0301, DRB1*0401, DRB1*0701, DRB1*0801, DRB1*1101, DRB1*1301, and DRB1*1501) that collectively cover nearly 95% of the human population (See e.g., Southwood et al., J. Immunol., 160:3363-3373 [1998]), using methods recommended on the IEDB website. Potential T-cell epitope clusters contained within the variant AvPAL (i.e., sub-regions contained within the variant AvPAL which have an unusually high potential for immunogenicity) were identified using statistical analysis tools, as known in the art. The identified T-cell epitope clusters were screened against the IEDB database of known epitopes and the GenBank protein database. These screens identified 10 (ten) putative T-cell epitopes in the variant AvPAL Variant No. 36. These epitopes are referred to as TCE-I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X, below.

Design of Deimmunizing Libraries:

First, a combinatorial library containing all neutral, and beneficial mutations identified from the rounds of directed evolution used to create variant AvPALs, at the 10 putative T-cell epitope regions identified as described above was developed. The effects of these mutations on the predicted binding to the eight common Class II HLA-DR alleles were analyzed. Multiple mutations were predicted to remove or reduce TCE-I, II, VI, VII. These mutations were combined into a combinatorial library. Libraries were then designed using saturation mutagenesis to mutagenize every single amino acid within the remaining six T-cell epitopes (i.e., TCE-III, IV, V, VIII, IX, and X). Finally a combinatorial library was created containing beneficial diversity identified from multiple rounds of evolution that targeted TCE-I, III, IV, VIII, and X, along with C503 and C565, two amino acids reported to impact the aggregation state of PAL variants. The best hits from this library were subjected to further saturation mutagenesis targeting TCE-III and VIII and additional targeted mutagenesis at a few positions.

Construction and Screening of Deimmunizing Libraries:

Combinatorial and saturation mutagenesis libraries designed as described above were constructed by methods known in the art, and tested for activity in an unchallenged assay as described in Example 2. Active variants were identified and sequenced. Their activities and mutations with respect to AvPAL Variant No. 36 and numerous AvPAL Variants are provided in Tables 9-1 through 9-7, below.

Identification of Deimmunizing Diversity:

Active variants were analyzed for their levels of immunogenicity by evaluating their binding to the eight common Class II HLA-DR alleles described above. The total immunogenicity score and immunogenic hit count are shown in Tables 9-1 to 9-7. The total immunogenicity score reflects the overall predicted immunogenicity of the variant (i.e., a higher score indicates a higher level of predicted immunogenicity). The immunogenic “hit count” indicates the number of 15-mer analysis frames with an unusually high potential for immunogenicity (i.e., a higher hit count indicates a higher potential for immunogenicity). Mutations with a lower total predicted immunogenicity score and/or an immunogenic hit count less than that of the reference variant were considered to be “deimmunizing mutations.” The deimmunizing mutations that were identified as being the best were recombined to generate a number of variants that are active and predicted to be significantly less immunogenic than the starting reference variant AvPAL. In the following Tables, the FIOP results are from the unchallenged assay; for the total immunogenicity score (TIS) and immunogenic hit count (IHC), the results are indicated for the whole PAL protein (Tables 9-1, 9-8, and 9-9) or for the indicated epitope (Tables 9-2 to 9-7).

TABLE 9-1 FIOP, Total Immunogenicity (TIS), and Immunogenic Hit Count (IHC) for Variants Targeting TCE-I, II, VI, and VII Variant Active Mutations # (as Compared to Variant No. 36) FIOP TIS IHC Variant + 680 52 36 100 I27E/L214E + 634 51 101 V105C/R134Q/Q205T/P266H/L278D + 645 48 102 I27E/L214E/C503Q/A547D + 629 51 103 V105C/Q205T/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D + 619 49 104 I27E/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/I285E/C503Q + 622 45 105 V39A/P266H + 665 45 106 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C + 607 41 107 I27E/V39A/V105C/P210C/L214E/P266H/L278D + 590 42 108 V39A/V105C/L214E/P266H/A547D/C565N + 613 42 109 I27E/V39A/A112C/L214E + 616 42 110 I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153G/L214E/P266H/I285E/C503Q/ + 572 37 A551D/C565N 111 I27E/R134Q/L278D/I285E/A551D/C565N + 626 48 112 I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/Q205T/P266H/I285E/C503Q/ + 594 39 A551D 113 I27E/V105C/L214E/P266H/C503Q + 614 49 114 I27E/V39A/R134Q + 637 44 115 C503Q/A547D + 675 52 116 V105C/C503Q + 660 50 117 I27E/R134Q/Q205T/P266H/L278D/A547D + 641 50 118 I27E/V105C/R134Q/P210C/P266H/L278D/I285E/C503Q/ + 596 45 A551D/C565N 119 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L278D/I285E/C503Q/ + 585 38 A547D/A551D/C565N 120 V105C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D + 619 48 121 I27E/V39A/V105C/L214E/L278D/L309P/C503Q/A547D/ + 587 42 A551D 122 V105C/L278D/C503Q/A551D + 655 50 123 I27E/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/P266H/L278D/A551D/ ++ 591 48 C565N 124 I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D ++ 620 50 125 R134Q/P210C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 630 50 126 I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/P210C/L214E/L278D/A547D + 585 42 127 V39A/Q205T/L278D/A547D/A551D + 654 44 128 V105C/R134Q/L214E/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A551D/ + 598 45 C565N 129 I27E/V105C/L214E/A547D/A551D/C565N + 609 49 130 I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A547D + 615 42 131 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A547D/ + 564 38 A551D 132 C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N + 675 52 133 V105C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D + 619 48 134 I27E/V105C/Q205T/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N + 630 49 135 I27E/V39A + 646 45 136 I27E/V39A/V105C/L214E/P266H/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 594 42 137 A112C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N + 636 48 138 I27E/A112C/R134Q/A153R/L214E/P266H/C503Q + 619 47 139 C503Q/A551D + 675 52 140 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L278D/C503Q/C565N + 617 42 141 R134Q/Q205T/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N + 613 47 142 V105C/L214E/I285E/A547D/C565N + 607 46 143 I27E/V39A/R43L/L214E/A547D + 625 45 144 I27E/V39A/P210C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D + 584 41 145 I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D + 620 50 146 V39A/V105C/A153R/P266H/A547D/A551D + 637 42 147 V39A/C503Q + 665 45 148 I27E/V39A/V105C/P210C/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/ + 590 39 C565N 149 R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A551D + 639 50 150 I27E/V39A/R134Q/C503Q/A547D + 632 44 151 A153R + 677 51 152 I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/ + 585 41 A547D/C565N 153 C503Q/A547D/C565N + 675 52 154 I27E/V39A/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D/ + 614 44 C565N 155 L278D/A547D + 675 52 156 V39A/G45S/L278D/C503Q/A551D + 667 45 157 V39A/A153R/C503Q/A547D + 657 44 158 R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D + 630 50 159 I27E/A547D/C565N + 656 52 160 V39A/R134Q/P210C/L214E/A547D/C565N + 615 43 161 I27E/V39A/P210C/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A547D + 610 41 162 I27E/V39A/R134Q/L278D/C503Q/A547D + 632 44 163 I27E/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/P210C/C503Q + 622 48 164 I27E/V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D + 600 48 165 I27E/V105C/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 636 50 166 I27E/L214E/C503Q + 634 51 167 V105C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D + 628 49 168 I27E/V105C/Q205T/L214E/P266H + 609 49 169 V39A/A112C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D + 621 41 170 I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/C565N + 625 50 171 I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/L214E/P266H/C503Q + 602 42 172 I27E/V39A/L214E/C503Q/A551D + 614 44 173 V39A/V105C/Q205T/A551D + 634 42 174 I27E/V39A/Q205T/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 635 44 175 A547D + 675 52 176 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A551D/ + 576 41 C565N 177 V39A/P275R/L278D/C503Q/A551D + 667 45 178 I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/P210C/L278D/A547D + 611 42 179 V105C/A153R/Q205T/L214E/P266H/C503Q/A547D + 620 48 180 V105C/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/Y492H/C503Q/ + 614 48 A547D 181 I27E/P210C/L278D/C503Q + 651 51 182 I27E/P210C/C503Q + 651 51 183 I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L214E/C503Q/A547D + 602 42 184 I27E/P266H/A547D/A551D + 656 52 185 V105C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N + 607 46 186 I27E/V105C/P266H/I285E/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 615 47 187 Q205T/L278D/I285E/A547D/A551D + 648 48 188 V39A/V105C/Q205T/C503Q + 639 42 189 I27E/V39A/Q205T/P266H/I285E/A547D/A551D/C565N + 614 41 190 V105C/L214E/I285E + 612 46 191 V105C/R134Q/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 646 49 192 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/C503Q/A551D + 612 42 193 I27E/R134Q/Q205T/I285E/C503Q/A551D + 620 47 194 I27E/V39A/A112C/Q205T/L278D/I285E + 616 39 195 I27E/V39A/A112C/Q205T/L214E/P266H/C503Q/A551D/ + 606 42 C565N 196 I27E/V39A/L278D/A547D + 641 45 197 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/A551D/C565N + 580 41 198 I27E/G45D/Q205T/P266H/C565N + 656 51 199 I27E/V39A/A112C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D + 611 42 200 I27E/Q205T + 655 51 201 I27E/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/L278D/C503Q + 643 48 202 C565N + 680 52 203 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/P210C/L278D/C503Q/ + 602 41 A547D 204 V105C/L214E/P266H/L278D/A547D + 628 49 205 V105C/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/L214E/C503Q + 616 47 206 V105C/R134Q/C503Q + 651 49 207 I27E/V39A/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/C565N + 640 44 208 I27E/V39A/V105C/S131N/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/ + 579 41 A547D/C565N 209 Q205T/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D + 622 48 210 I27E/L214E/L278D/C503Q + 634 51 211 V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C565N + 624 48 212 I27E/V39A/L214E + 619 44 213 L214E/C503Q/A547D + 648 51 214 L214E/P266H + 653 51 215 I27E/V39A/C503Q + 646 45 216 P210C/L214E + 644 51 217 V105C + 660 50 218 A112C/R134Q/A153R/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/ + 612 44 A547D/A551D/C565N 219 I27E/Q205T/L278D/A551D + 650 51 220 I27E/L214E/A551D + 629 51 221 R134Q/L214E/I285E/C503Q ++ 623 47 222 I27E/V39A/V105C/C503Q/A551D + 621 43 223 A112C/L278D/C503Q/A547D + 672 50 224 I27E/R134Q/A153R/I285E/C503Q/A547D ++ 623 47 225 I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/I285E + 602 39 226 I27E/V39A/R134Q/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D ++ 611 41 227 R134Q/C503Q + 671 51 228 V39A/C503Q/A551D/C565N + 660 45 229 I27E/V39A/P266H + 646 45 230 V105C/I285E + 639 47 231 I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/L214E + 596 41 232 A112C/L214E/L278D + 650 49 233 I27E/R134Q/P210C + 642 50 234 I27E/A153R/L214E/L278D/A551D + 626 50 235 V105C/I285E/A547D + 634 47 236 I27E/Q205T/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/C565N + 608 48 237 I27E/V39A/P210C/T212S + 636 44 238 I27E/P266H/L278D/C503Q + 661 52 239 I27E/V105C/Q205T/L214E/P266H/A551D/C565N + 604 49 240 I27E/A112C/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D + 617 49 241 I27E/V39A/R134Q/P210C/C503Q/A551D + 622 43 242 I27E/V39A/V105C/I285E/A547D + 600 40 243 I27E/V39A/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A551D/C565N + 635 44 244 I27E/R134Q/I285E/C503Q + 631 48 245 I27E/V39A/P210C/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A551D + 605 44 246 V39A/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/L278D + 621 41 247 I27E/V39A/L214E/L278D/C503Q + 619 44 248 I27E/V105C/L214E + 614 49 249 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P266H/C503Q/A547D/A551D + 612 42 250 I27E/V39A/P210C/P266H/C503Q/A551D + 631 44 251 I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 618 42 252 V39A/V105C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D + 604 41 253 I27E/L214E/L278D + 634 51 254 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/A153R/P210C/L278D/I285E/ + 578 37 C503Q/A547D/A551D 255 V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/A547D + 614 48 256 I27E/V105C/R134Q/A153R/C503Q + 629 48 257 V105C/R134Q/C503Q/A547D + 646 49 258 I27E/V39A/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D + 620 42 259 I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L278D + 634 43 260 I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/L214E/C503Q/A547D + 602 41 261 I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L278D/A547D/A551D + 629 43 262 I27E/V39A/L278D/C503Q/C565N + 646 45 263 Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 643 51 264 R134Q/L214E + 644 50 265 I27E/V39A/P266H/L278D + 646 45 266 R134Q/Q205T/C503Q + 665 50 267 V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/A551D + 595 41 268 V105C/A153R/Q205T/P266H/I285E/A547D/C565N + 625 45 269 I27E/V39A/R134Q/L214E/P266H/A551D + 605 43 270 L214E/P266H/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N + 648 51 271 V39A/V105C/P210C/A547D + 630 42 272 I27E/V105C + 641 50 273 I27E/V39A/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/P266H/I285E/C503Q/ + 579 40 A551D/C565N 274 I27E/V39A/R134Q/Q205T/P266H/C503Q/A551D/C565N + 626 43 275 I27E/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A551D/C565N + 591 48 276 I27E/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 629 51 277 I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/P210C/L214E/L278D/I285E/ + 572 39 A547D/C565N 278 I27E/V39A/A112C/I285E + 622 40 279 I27E/A112C/R134Q/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N + 623 46 280 I27E/L214E/P266H/L278D/I285E/A551D + 608 48 281 I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/A551D/C565N + 618 42 282 V39A/V105C/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/A551D + 622 40 283 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E + 585 41 284 I27E/V105C/Q205T + 635 49 285 I27E/Q205T/P266H/L278D/I285E/A551D/C565N + 629 48 286 I27E/R134Q/L214E/C503Q + 625 50 287 V105C/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N + 623 49 288 V39A/V105C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A551D/C565N + 592 39 289 I27E/V39A/V105C/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 621 43 290 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/I285E/A547D/A551D + 591 39 291 I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/L214E/P266H/A551D + 602 41 292 I27E/L278D/C503Q/A551D + 656 52 293 I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/A547D + 629 43 294 P266H/C565N + 680 52 295 I27E/V105C/I285E/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N + 615 47 296 I27E/V39A/L278D + 646 45 297 P210C/L214E/P266H + 644 51 298 I27E/V39A/R134Q/P210C/L214E/C503Q + 601 43 299 I27E/V39A/R43L/V105C/A153R/L214E/P266H/L278D/ + 607 42 C503Q 300 I27E/V105C/Q205T/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A547D/ + 583 46 A551D/C565N 301 I27E/V39A/V105C/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N + 621 43 302 I27E/V105C/L214E/I285E/A551D/C565N + 588 46 303 I27E/P210C/A551D + 646 51 304 I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D + 589 42 305 I27E/V105C/L278D/A547D + 636 50 306 C503Q + 680 52 307 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/A547D/A551D + 585 41 308 I27E/R134Q + 652 51 309 V39A/R134Q + 656 44 310 I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/Q205T/P210C/P266H/C503Q/ + 611 42 A547D 311 V39A/A112C/A153R/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A547D + 648 41 312 I27E/V105C/P266H + 641 50 313 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E + 581 41 314 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L278D/A551D + 612 42 315 I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/R134Q/A153R/Q205T/L214E/ + 577 40 P266H/L278D/C503Q/A551D 316 I27E/V105C/R134Q/A153R/I285E/A547D + 603 45 317 I27E/V39A/A112C/A547D + 638 43 318 I27E/V39A/R134Q/A153R/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/ + 602 42 A547D/C565N 319 I27E/V105C/Q205T/P266H/C503Q + 635 49 320 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/L278D/I285E/C503Q + 596 39 321 C503Q/A551D/C565N + 675 52 322 I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/Q205T/P210C/L214E/A551D/ + 593 41 C565N 323 R134Q/C503Q/A547D/A551D + 666 51 324 I27E/A112C/Q205T/P266H/L278D/I285E/C503Q + 631 46 325 P266H/L278D/C503Q + 680 52 326 I27E/V39A/Q205T/P266H/A551D + 635 44 327 Q205T/L214E/I285E/C503Q/C565N + 627 48 328 I27E/V105C/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/P266H/L278D/C503Q/ + 600 48 C565N 329 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P266H/C503Q + 617 42 330 I27E/V39A/V105C/R134Q/P210C/L214E/I285E/A547D + 555 38 331 I27E/V39A/V105C/Q205T/P210C/L278D/C503Q + 616 42 332 I27E/V39A/R134Q/A547D/C565N + 632 44 333 V105C/A547D/A551D + 655 50 334 I27E/V105C/R134Q/A153R/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D + 588 47 335 I27E/P210C/L214E/C503Q/A547D ++ 620 51 336 I27E/V105C/C503Q/A547D/A551D/C565N + 636 50 337 I27E/V105C/R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/A551D/ + 600 48 C565N 338 I27E/V39A/V105C/A153R/Q205T/L278D/C503Q/A547D/ + 612 41 A551D 339 I27E/V39A/V105C/A112C/L214E/I285E/C503Q/A547D + 573 39 340 L214E/A547D + 648 51 341 V105C/Q205T/L214E/L278D + 628 49 342 I27E/V39A/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/C565N + 614 44 343 I27E/P210C + 651 51 344 V105C/Q205T/C503Q/A551D + 649 49 345 I27E/V39A/A112C/R134Q/P266H/I285E + 613 39 346 V39A/P210C/L214E/L278D/I285E/C503Q/A551D + 603 41 347 I27E/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 624 51 348 I27E/V39A/L214E/L278D/C503Q/A547D/C565N + 614 44 349 I27E/P210C/C503Q/C565N + 651 51 350 I27E/L278D/C503Q/A551D/C565N + 656 52 351 R134Q/L214E/L278D/C503Q + 644 50 352 I27E/A153R/L214E/L278D/I285E/A551D/C565N + 605 47 353 I27E/V105C/L214E/A551D/C565N + 609 49 354 V39A/R134Q/Q205T/L214E/C503Q/C565N + 624 43 (“−” = FIOP < 0.7; “+” = FIOP 0.7 < FIOP < 1.4; “++” = FIOP > 1.4)

TABLE 9-2 FIOP, Total Immunogenicity (TIS), and Immunogenic Hit Count (IHC) for Variants Targeting TCE-III Active Mutations Variant # (as Compared to Variant No. 36) FIOPC TIS IHC Variant 36 + 71 7 400 V80I/R134C/P564Q + 60 5 401 V121C + 44 6 402 R134L + 78 7 403 A124G + 58 7 404 R134W + 63 5 405 L126M + 56 5 406 N130C/M370I + 62 6 407 N130Q + 65 7 408 A123G + 67 8 409 A129G + 64 9 410 G135A/A394E + 76 7 411 A129L + 82 9 412 M133R + 52 3 413 G135S + 78 9 414 L126T + 62 8 415 L127A + 46 6 416 R1341 + 82 7 417 R134N/G307C + 60 5 418 L126I ++ 80 12 419 G135C + 67 6 420 M125L + 72 8 (“−” = FIOP < 0.7; “+” = FIOP 0.7 < FIOP < 1.4; “++” = FIOP > 1.4)

TABLE 9-3 FIOP, Total Immunogenicity (TIS), and Immunogenic Hit Count (IHC) for Variants Targeting TCE-1V Active Mutations Variant # (as Compared to Variant No. 36) FIOPC TIS IHC Variant + 74 11 36 500 P157H + 69 8 501 R140M + 72 11 502 P157F + 80 12 503 A153C + 56 7 504 E142V + 84 14 505 K145G/P157T + 62 8 506 R140D + 63 8 507 E142D/G371D + 79 13 508 M147A + 48 1 509 T156K/G483C + 83 12 510 P157D + 64 8 511 A62S/M147V + 62 8 512 R146L + 81 14 513 Y158E + 72 11 514 G154Y/L174M/Q321K/S456I/G483C + 75 10 515 S82I/G135C/P157F/W279L + 77 11 516 I144N + 61 7 517 T110I/I139R + 65 8 518 L47M/I144L + 67 8 519 L47M/M147G/A383E + 48 4 520 G20S/I144L + 67 8 521 R146W/D191Y + 62 5 522 P157Y + 73 9 523 L47M/P157C + 68 8 524 E142P + 68 9 525 F150K + 59 6 526 L141T + 55 7 527 V159H + 67 8 528 I144L + 67 8 529 A119E/T156H/A289D + 78 11 530 Q58K/P157D/G369C + 64 8 531 L47M/R146E + 58 6 532 E142H + 79 13 533 R140N/A199E + 67 8 534 I144V + 72 13 535 I149L + 69 9 536 R146H + 77 12 537 I139M + 74 11 538 A153S/H250N + 73 10 539 L319M + 74 11 540 R140E/A334S/A551D + 63 8 541 F150L + 79 12 542 L143M + 72 11 543 A153G + 62 8 544 I139V + 74 11 545 Q58H/L143V + 72 11 546 G154R + 81 13 547 K145Q + 72 11 548 L143F + 74 11 549 R140G + 67 8 550 V159C + 72 11 551 Q389K + 74 11 552 L141P + 58 5 553 M247I + 74 11 554 F150M + 77 12 555 L141Q + 59 7 556 L151M + 68 9 557 V159L + 74 11 558 R94C/I149E + 53 6 559 V159M + 74 11 560 L118M/L141H + 58 7 561 K145N + 71 11 562 I149R + 72 11 563 K145R + 84 15 564 L141K + 59 7 565 R43S + 74 11 (“−” = FIOP < 0.7; “+” = FIOP 0.7 < FIOP < 1.4; “++” = FIOP > 1.4)

TABLE 9-4 FIOP, Total Immunogenicity (TIS), and Immunogenic Hit Count (IHC) for Variants Targeting TCE-V. Variant Active Mutations No. (as Compared to Variant No. 36) FIOPC TIS IHC Variant + 36 2 36 600 Y176R + 51 4 601 S180C + 27 0 602 S180T + 27 0 603 V172L + 30 1 604 I177V + 24 0 605 V172I + 29 1 606 I177M + 30 1 607 Y176I + 54 4 608 Y176M + 33 2 609 Y176V + 41 3 610 L174M + 21 0 611 P117T/Y176Q + 37 2 612 S175G + 26 0 613 T178L/A477S + 43 5 614 V172C + 26 0 615 Y176E + 20 0 (“−” = FIOP < 0.7; “+ ” = FIOP 0.7 < FIOP < 1.4; “++” = FIOP > 1.4)

TABLE 9-5 FIOP, Total Immunogenicity (TIS), and Immunogenic Hit Count (IHC) for Variants Targeting TCE-VIII. Variant Active Mutations # (as Compared to Variant No. 36) FIOPC TIS IHC Variant + 83 10 36 700 A232S + 83 10 701 A112S/M370A/A507E + 71 10 702 Q240K/H374R + 83 10 703 S461G + 83 10 704 H374D + 83 10 705 M372A + 74 10 706 L349M + 83 10 707 Y378S + 74 7 708 G371H + 91 11 709 Y377N + 82 10 710 I379N + 80 8 711 D191Y/H385N + 81 10 712 I379L + 83 10 713 R43S/H374R + 83 10 714 Q355K/H374S + 83 10 715 P275T/H374R + 83 10 716 H374Q/P396Q + 99 14 717 H385N + 81 10 718 Y378L + 78 9 719 I379C + 70 7 720 M370G + 64 10 721 M372V + 76 10 722 K384R + 87 10 723 A383V + 88 13 724 M147I/H374S + 83 10 725 Y378F/P404Q + 85 10 726 H374S + 83 10 727 Y378E + 55 2 728 H374R/G417C + 83 10 729 L418M + 83 10 730 S525L + 83 10 731 Y378D + 60 4 732 A383S + 88 10 733 D387S + 96 11 734 L382H + 78 10 735 L382C + 76 8 736 G371Q + 84 10 737 H374L + 85 11 738 Y378C + 58 5 739 H374A + 83 10 740 L375M + 77 10 741 H385C + 74 8 742 A334S/H374V + 85 11 743 H374R + 83 10 744 H385M/P403H + 83 11 745 Y378I + 83 10 746 Y377I + 86 10 747 H385G + 74 7 748 H385S/P403H + 79 9 749 H374N + 83 10 750 S187R/L381V + 78 7 751 L382S + 77 9 752 Y377C + 75 7 753 L381V + 78 7 754 G371S + 88 10 755 A256S/L381N + 70 6 756 I379M + 80 10 757 R43S/H374K + 83 10 758 I379H + 76 7 759 M370S + 64 10 760 P275Q/M370S + 64 10 761 G425V + 83 10 762 A447S + 83 10 763 L382M + 80 10 764 G371N + 84 10 765 L381M/Q560K + 79 10 767 L382I + 77 8 768 H374G + 83 10 769 M370I + 76 10 770 Q332K/Y377M + 86 10 771 Y378N + 64 5 772 L375I + 83 10 773 H374T + 83 10 774 L381G + 60 4 (“−” = FIOP < 0.7; “+” = FIOP 0.7 < FIOP < 1.4; “++” = FIOP > 1.4)

TABLE 9-6 FIOP, Total Immunogenicity (TIS), and Immunogenic Hit Count (IHC) for Variants Targeting TCE-IX. Active Mutations Variant No. (as Compared to Variant No. 36) FIOPC TIS IHC Variant 36 + 45 4 800 I439V + 49 4 801 I439C + 39 1 802 S438F + 50 4 803 T433S + 44 0 804 T433A + 35 0 805 Y435Q/H446N + 43 2 806 L431V + 28 0 807 N437Q + 40 0 808 L213M/S438L + 46 4 809 L432C + 39 2 810 L432V + 47 4 811 T433L + 50 4 812 L431P + 18 0 813 I439F + 47 4 814 S286R/Y435T + 53 4 815 S98I + 45 4 816 S438R + 48 4 817 S331I + 45 4 818 S438M + 44 4 819 Q240K/T433Y + 41 0 820 T433I + 46 3 821 T433N + 38 0 822 L431S + 27 0 823 N437G + 38 0 824 L431E + 26 0 825 L431C + 25 0 826 G436T + 45 0 827 G436D + 42 1 828 T433V + 59 7 829 N437T/L538M + 52 4 830 A289S/L431E + 26 0 831 T433Q + 37 0 832 I439L + 46 4 833 F434C + 34 0 834 T433P + 35 0 835 A24S/F434M + 69 8 836 L431G + 18 0 837 S438C + 45 1 838 T433W + 33 0 839 Y435L + 57 5 840 A62S/T433N + 38 0 841 N437E + 46 3 842 A477S + 45 4 843 G436M + 87 11 844 T433R + 70 10 845 S438T + 46 4 (“−” = FIOP < 0.7; “+” = FIOP 0.7 < FIOP < 1.4; “++” = FIOP > 1.4)

TABLE 9-7 FIOP, Total Immunogenicity (TIS), and Immunogenic Hit Count (IHC) for Variants Targeting TCE-X. Active Mutations Variant # (as Compared to Variant No. 36) FIOPC TIS IHC Variant 36 + 47 7 900 I471V + 45 7 901 F472G + 16 0 902 G483S + 60 9 903 G483A/S524I + 64 10 904 Y475C + 20 0 905 I478N + 44 6 906 V476I + 30 2 907 N474D/R490H + 29 3 908 P275Q + 47 7 909 Q473K + 55 7 910 G483H + 58 8 911 Q473H/A507S + 52 7 912 N474H + 49 7 913 Y475F + 58 7 914 I478S + 46 6 915 Q473M + 69 9 916 V476C + 23 0 917 L104M/V476L + 36 3 918 A119E/G365A + 47 7 919 N474W + 51 7 920 I471K + 29 2 921 Q292H/A479G + 35 2 922 G276V + 47 7 923 I471N + 26 1 924 A479S + 53 7 925 A558S + 47 7 926 Q473S + 56 8 927 Q473R + 62 8 928 Y475Q + 33 5 929 I471G + 32 3 930 A479G + 35 2 931 A70S/N474E + 32 3 932 I471F + 48 7 933 Q58R/Y475H + 32 5 934 F482L + 56 9 935 V476L + 36 3 936 A24E + 47 7 937 N474R + 55 7 938 G483C + 49 6 939 Q473H + 52 7 940 I471M + 46 7 941 I471R + 31 2 942 P404T/A477V + 47 6 943 G483R/G537C + 78 13 944 F482C + 45 6 945 Q355H/I478C + 31 1 946 L206M + 47 7 947 N474A + 48 7 948 Y475L + 60 7 949 I471W + 34 4 (“−” = FIOP < 0.7; “+” = FIOP 0.7 < FIOP < 1.4; “++” = FIOP > 1.4)

TABLE 9-8 FIOP, Total Immunogenicity (TIS), and Immunogenic Hit Count (IHC) for Variants Targeting TCE-I, III, IV, VIII, and X Active Mutations Variant # (as Compared to Variant No. 36) FIOP TIS IHC Variant 36 + 950 F472G/C503Q/C565N + 651 45 951 L381G/F472G/C503Q/C565N + 628 39 952 M133R/C503Q + 663 48 953 M133R/L381G/C565N + 640 42 954 V39A/C503Q/C565N + 667 45 955 V39A/F472G/C503Q/C565N + 636 38 956 V39A/G248C/L381G/F472G/C503Q/C565N + 613 32 957 V39A/K115E/M133R/C565N ++ 646 39 958 V39A/L381G + 644 39 959 V39A/M133R/C503Q + 648 41 960 V39A/M133R/C503Q/C565N + 648 41 961 V39A/M133R/F472G/C503Q/C565N + 617 34 962 V39A/M133R/F472G/C565N + 617 34 963 V39A/M147A/C565N + 641 35 964 V39A/M147A/F472G/C503Q/C565N + 610 28 965 V39A/M147A/F472G/C565N + 610 28 966 V39A/M147A/L381G/C503Q/C565N + 618 29 967 V39A/M147A/L381G/F472G/C503Q/C565N + 587 22 968 V39A/M147A/Y378E/C503Q/C565N + 613 27 969 V39A/M147A/Y378E/C565N + 613 27 970 V39A/Y378E/C503Q/C565N + 639 37 971 V39A/Y378E/C565N + 639 37 972 Y378D/C503Q + 659 46 973 Y378E/F472G/C503Q/C565N + 623 37 (“−” = FIOP < 0.7; “+” = FIOP 0.7 < FIOP < 1.4; “++” = FIOP > 1.4)

TABLE 9-9 FIOP, Total Immunogenicity (TIS), and Immunogenic Hit Count (IHC) for Variants Targeting TCE-III and VIII Active Mutations Variant # (as Compared to Variant No. 967) FIOP TIS IHC Variant 967 + 974 A129I − 598 26 975 A129V − 595 24 976 A136K ++ 595 22 977 A24E/G381L + 604 28 978 A289S + 590 23 979 A383C + 577 18 980 A383M ++ 602 28 981 G381A ++ 598 24 982 G381C − 580 22 983 G381F + 601 25 984 G381I ++ 610 27 985 G381L ++ 610 28 986 G381M + 606 28 987 G381N + 597 24 988 G381Q + 590 23 989 G381S + 601 24 990 G381T + 590 23 991 H132L − 603 25 992 H132S − 592 23 993 H374G + 587 22 994 H374M + 589 23 995 H374Q − 587 22 996 L127V − 576 22 997 L431M + 591 22 998 L563M − 587 22 999 M372L − 580 22 1000 R134C − 576 20 1001 R134F + 588 21 1002 R134H + 579 21 1003 R134K − 585 21 1004 S131C − 579 21 1005 S131T + 580 21 1006 V388C + 577 21 1007 V388T + 578 21 1008 R134H/V388T + 570 20 1009 R134H/Y378E/G381L + 574 19 1010 R134H/Y378E/G381L/V388T + 566 19 (“−” = FIOP < 0.7; “+” = FIOP 0.7 < FIOP < 1.4; “++” = FIOP > 1.4)

In Vitro Testing of Deimmunized PAL Variants:

The deimmunized PAL variants are tested in a dendritic T-cell assay to empirically test their capacity to elicit a T-cell response. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are isolated from a human donor using standard techniques. These cells are used as a source of monocytes that are cultured in defined media to generate immature dendritic cells. These immature dendritic cells (DCs) are loaded with deimmunized PAL variants, and are then induced into a more mature phenotype by further culturing in defined media to provide antigen-primed DCs. CD8+ T cell-depleted donor PBMCs obtained from the same donor samples as the DCs are labeled with CFSE, then cultured with the antigen-primed DCs for 7 days, after which octuplicates are tested. Each DC-T cell culture includes a set of untreated controls (i.e., negative controls). The assay also incorporates reference antigen controls (i.e., positive controls), comprising two potent whole protein antigens. Assays utilizing cells isolated from 50 human donors with diverse Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II alleles provide a statistically relevant assessment of the PAL variants' capacity to elicit a T-cell response.

While the invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments, various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted to adapt to a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, thereby achieving benefits of the invention without departing from the scope of what is claimed.

For all purposes in the United States of America, each and every publication and patent document cited in this disclosure is incorporated herein by reference as if each such publication or document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. Citation of publications and patent documents is not intended as an indication that any such document is pertinent prior art, nor does it constitute an admission as to its contents or date. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An engineered polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 90% sequence identity to reference sequence SEQ ID NO:12, wherein said amino acid sequence comprises an amino acid residue selected from leucine, methionine, and glutamine at position 305, and wherein said engineered polypeptide further comprises at least one or more of the following substitutions or substitution sets selected from 18, 18/47, 18/47/214, 18/47/214/308, 18/47/214/308/450/546, 18/47/214/450, 18/47/214/467/540/546, 18/47/214/540, 18/47/214/546, 18/47/308/546, 18/47/450, 18/47/450/528/546, 18/47/450/546, 18/214, 18/214/308, 18/214/308/450/467, 18/214/450, 18/214/460, 18/214/467/546, 18/214/540, 18/450/540, 18/540, 47, 47/214, 47/214/308, 47/214/540, 47/214/546, 47/450, 59/134, 59/134/240/304/353/521/564, 59/134/240/353, 59/134/240/521, 59/134/240/521/564, 59/134/240/521/565, 59/134/304/353/521, 59/134/353/509/521, 59/134/509, 59/240, 59/240/353/509, 59/240/353/564/565, 59/240/509/521/564, 59/353, 59/353/509/564, 59/353/521, 59/353/565, 59/509/564, 59/521, 59/564, 134/240/304/353/564, 134/240/353/509/521/564, 134/240/353/521/564, 134/240/509/521, 134/304/353/521/565, 134/353/509/564, 134/353/521, 134/353/521/564, 134/353/564, 134/521, 214/308/460, 214/450/528, 214/540, 214/546, 240, 240/304/353/509/521/564, 240/304/509, 240/304/509/521, 240/353/509, 240/353/509/521, 240/353/509/521/564/565, 240/353/521, 240/509, 240/509/564/565, 240/509/565, 240/521/564/565, 304/353/509, 304/509, 308/450/467, 353/521, 521, and 528/546, wherein said positions in said amino acid sequence are in reference to SEQ ID NO:12.
 2. The engineered polypeptide of claim 1, wherein said engineered polypeptide exhibits an improved property selected from reduced sensitivity to proteolysis, increased tolerance to acidic pH, reduced immunogenicity, or a combination thereof, as compared to the reference sequence SEQ ID NO:12.
 3. The engineered polypeptide of claim 2, wherein the improved property is selected from reduced sensitivity to proteolysis and/or increased tolerance to acidic pH.
 4. The engineered polypeptide of claim 1, wherein said engineered polypeptide is resistant to proteolysis, acid stable, and/or deimmunized.
 5. The engineered polypeptide of claim 1, wherein said engineered polypeptide is resistant to proteolysis by at least one digestive tract enzyme, wherein said engineered polypeptide is resistant to proteolysis by chymotrypsin, trypsin, carboxypeptidases, and/or elastases.
 6. The engineered polypeptide of claim 5, wherein said engineered polypeptide is deimmunized.
 7. The engineered polypeptide of claim 1, wherein said polypeptide is purified.
 8. A polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one engineered polypeptide of claim
 1. 9. The polynucleotide sequence of claim 8, wherein said polynucleotide sequence is operably linked to a control sequence.
 10. The polynucleotide sequence of claim 8, wherein said polynucleotide sequence is codon-optimized.
 11. An expression vector comprising at least one polynucleotide sequence of claim 8, and at least one control sequence.
 12. An expression vector comprising at least one polynucleotide sequence of claim 10, and at least one control sequence.
 13. The expression vector of claim 11, wherein said control sequence is a promoter.
 14. The expression vector of claim 12, wherein said control sequence is a promoter.
 15. A host cell transformed with the expression vector of claim
 11. 16. A host cell transformed with the expression vector of claim
 12. 17. A method of producing an engineered polypeptide in a host cell comprising culturing the host cell of claim 15, under suitable culture conditions, such that at least one engineered polypeptide is produced.
 18. A method of producing an engineered polypeptide in a host cell comprising culturing the host cell of claim 16, under suitable culture conditions, such that at least one engineered polypeptide is produced.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising recovering at least one engineered polypeptide from the culture and/or host cells.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising recovering at least one engineered polypeptide from the culture and/or host cells.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of purifying said at least one engineered polypeptide.
 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of purifying said at least one engineered polypeptide.
 23. A composition comprising at least one engineered polypeptide of claim
 1. 24. The composition of claim 23, wherein said composition is a pharmaceutical composition.
 25. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 24, wherein said composition is suitable for the treatment of phenylketonuria.
 26. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 24, wherein said composition is suitable for oral administration to a human.
 27. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 26, wherein said composition is in the form of a pill, tablet, capsule, gelcap, liquid, or emulsion.
 28. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 27, wherein said pill, tablet, capsule, or gelcap further comprises an enteric coating.
 29. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 24, wherein said composition is suitable for parenteral injection into a human.
 30. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 24, wherein said composition is coadministered with at least one additional therapeutically effective compound.
 31. A method for treating and/or preventing the symptoms of phenylketonuria in a subject, comprising providing a subject having phenylketonuria and the pharmaceutical composition of claim 25, and providing said pharmaceutical composition to said subject.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein said symptoms of phenylketonuria are ameliorated.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein said subject is able to eat a diet that is less restricted in its methionine, phenylalanine and/or tyrosine content than diets required by subjects who have not been provided at least one pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one engineered polypeptide having phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein said subject is an infant, child, young adult or adult human. 